Squaw Grass, Beardless wildrye

Leymus triticoides

Physical Characteristics

Leymus triticoides is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from September to October. 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, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Distribution

Western N. America - Washington to California and east to Montana.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Seed - cooked[22, 46, 61, 95, 161]. Used as a piñole[213]. The seed can be ground into a flour and used to make bread, cakes, porridge or as a cereal[183, 257]. The seed is rather small and fiddly to harvest. The hairs on the seed must be removed before consumption. The N. American Indians would singe the seed in order to remove these hairs[183].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known