Practical
Plants

Leymus racemosus

Volga Wild Rye

a perennial member of the Leymus genus in the family Gramineae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Gramineae
Genus
Leymus
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.2 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - used as a cereal substitute in some parts of Russia, especially in times of drought[3]. The seed is rather small and difficult to extract[K]. Young underground shoots - raw. Sweet and tender[3].

Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Stem

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants have an extensive spreading root system and are used to stabilize inland sand dunes, though they do not tolerate salty conditions[6].

Product or use
Oil

Ecology and functions

Earth stabiliser

Environment

Range
Europe to Asia.
Habitat
Dry sandy soils[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow mid spring in situ and only just cover the seed[2]. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. If the supply of seed is limited, it can also be sown in mid spring in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in summer[K] Division in spring or summer[2]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a sandy soil and a sunny position[1][4]. Established plants are drought resistant[3]. Plants can be very invasive, spreading freely by means of the rhizomes. Currently (1990) being evaluated as a perennial grain crop in N. America[3]. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Grounds. R. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-1219-9

    ↩1↩2

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  5. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  6. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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