Sloughgrass

Beckmannia eruciformis

Physical Characteristics

Beckmannia eruciformis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

Distribution

Southern and Eastern Europe to central Asia.

Habitats

Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Seed - cooked[2, 46, 61, 105, 161]. A mild flavour, it can be ground into a flour and used as a cereal. The seed is very small but is easily harvested[K]. It does then have to be separated from its husk, which is a very fiddly operation. Some N. American Indian tribes burn the husks of grass seeds[K].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known