Xerophyllum tenax
Indian Basket Grass
a perennial evergreen member of the Xerophyllum genus in the family Melanthiaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Melanthiaceae
- Genus
- Xerophyllum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Growth rate
- slow
- Height
- 1.2 m
- Spread
- 2 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - baked[13].
- Plant part
- Root
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.
The roots are styptic[9]. A poultice of the chewed root has been applied to wounds[9]. A decoction of the grated root has been used as a wash on bleeding wounds, sprains and broken limbs[9]. The washed roots have been rubbed to make a lather and then used to wash sore eyes[9].
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Styptic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A watertight basket can be made from the leaves[6][10][12][14][9]. This basket has been used for cooking food in[9]. The fibres are split from the leaves and then used[13]. The plant is also used to decorate baskets[9]. The small leaves have been used to make dresses[9]. The plants were burnt every year. The leaves were harvested in the spring when they first started to grow out of the charred rhizome. Prior to using, the leaves were soaked in water to make them pliable, but if left too long they turned green[9]. The dried and bleached leaves are used for weaving into hats and capes[5][9].
- Product or use
- Basketry
- Product or use
- Fibre
- Product or use
- Weaving
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America - British Columbia to California.
- Habitat
- Dry sunny hills and open woods[2]. Moist places in open woods and clearings, from sea level to 2100 metres[1][11].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- 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 - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if possible, otherwise in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division as the plant comes into growth in the spring.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a well-drained soil in full sun[2]. Prefers a fairly moisture-retentive sandy peaty soil[1][4]. Requires a damp peaty soil[8]. Plants can be difficult to cultivate[3]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[2], especially if the roots are given a good mulch in the winter[4]. If left undisturbed, plants can form quite large colonies, spreading by means of their tough rhizomes[4]. Plants do not flower every year, there are often gaps of 5 - 7 years between flowering[7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Balls. E. K. Early Uses of Californian Plants. University of California Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-520-00072-2
Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7