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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Seed - cooked[1][2][3]. It is usually ground into a flour and used as a cereal. High in gluten[4]. The large seeds are suitable for making macaroni but not for bread[5][6][4][7]. The grain falls readily from the ears, it is of no value for milling[6].

Material uses

The straw has many uses, as a biomass for fuel etc, for thatching, as a mulch in the garden etc[8].

A fibre obtained from the stems is used for making paper[9]. The stems are harvested in late summer after the seed has been harvested, they are cut into usable pieces and soaked in clear water for 24 hours. They are then cooked for 2 hours in lye or soda ash and then beaten in a ball mill for 1½ hours in a ball mill. The fibres make a green-tan paper[9].

The starch from the seed is used for laundering, sizing textiles etc[5][4]. It can also be converted to alcohol for use as a fuel.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Triticum turgidum polonicum.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring or autumn in situ and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within a few days[K].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Triticum turgidum polonicum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in most well-drained soils in a sunny position.

A rather primitive wheat, it probably arose through cultivation about 10,000 years ago following a cross between T. aethiopicum (the first primitive wheat) and Aegilops sp. It is sometimes cultivated for its edible seed, especially in N. Africa and the Mediterranean, and it can be grown very successfully under garden conditions[7]. There are some named varieties. 'Kamut' has very large kernels, 2 - 3 times the size of modern wheats. The seed contains significantly higher levels of protein and slightly higher levels of lipids and minerals. Reportedly less allergenic, though this has not been substantiated by controlled studies. The seed is said to have a superior flavour[7].

A tetraploid species[10].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Triticum turgidum polonicum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Triticum turgidum polonicum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Triticum turgidum polonicum
Genus
Triticum
Family
Gramineae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading ISBN 0704909820 (1986-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Bell. L. A. Plant Fibres for Papermaking. Liliaceae Press (1988-00-00)
    10. ? Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press ISBN 0-12-136450-x (1975-00-00)