Practical
Plants

Polypogon monspeliensis

Annual Beardgrass

an annual member of the Polypogon genus in the family Gramineae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Gramineae
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.8 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

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

The plant has been used extensively for food[4]. No further details are given, but it is likely to be the seed that was eaten[K]. There are no edible uses listed for Polypogon monspeliensis.

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

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

An infusion of the plant ashes has been used in the treatment of heart palpitations[3].

Environment

Range
Southwestern Europe, including Britain, Mediterranean, Ethiopia, Azores, S. Africa..
Habitat
Damp pastures near the sea in southern England and the Channel Islands[1]. A casual in other parts of the country[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow spring in situ and only just cover the seed[2].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position[2]. The compact silky inflorescence is used in fresh and dried flower arrangements[2].

References

  1. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

  4. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)

    ↩

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