Practical
Plants

Triglochin palustris

Marsh Arrow Grass

a perennial member of the Triglochin genus in the family Juncaginaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.5 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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

The green leaves of plants can contain a toxic cyanogenic glycoside, it is especially present during and just after a drought and is particularly toxic to ruminants[2]. Plants growing in Britain are usually perfectly safe, this is probably due to the climate[4].

Edible uses

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

The white base of the leaf stem can be eaten raw or cooked[2]. An unpleasant odour is produced in the cooking process but the flavour of the stems is sweet[2]. The green parts of the plant should not be eaten since they can contain a toxin. See notes at top of the page. Seed - parched and ground into a powder[2]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[2].

Product or use
Coffee
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Stem

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from the Arctic south and east to N. Africa, northern Asia. N. America.
Habitat
Marshes, usually amongst tall grass[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
aquatic
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible. Stand the pots in about 2cm of water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[3]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in shallow water or a bog garden[3]. This plant does not seem to require high salt levels for its survival[3].

References

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

    ↩

  2. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

    ↩

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