Glyceria fluitans - Floating Manna Grass

Family:	Gramineae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.45
Width:	0.45
Synonyms:	Panicularia fluitans
Range:	Europe, including Britain, temperate Asia the Caucasus and N. America.

Glyceria fluitans (Floating Manna Grass) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.45m and a width of 0.45m . It has a hardness rating of 5and is vunerable to frost.
Floating Manna Grass will flower in November to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Floating Manna Grass will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Floating Manna Grass prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Floating Manna Grass should not be planted in shady areas.

Shallow water, either stagnant or slow flowing, or in wet soils whether acid or calcareous[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils, so long as they are wet, and in shallow water[115]. Dislikes shade. This plant is occasionally cultivated for its edible seed[115], it is not very large and is somewhat fiddly to harvest but is considered to be an epicure's food[183].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Seed - raw or cooked[43, 57, 100]. A sweetish taste, the seed was considered a delicacy in some parts of Europe and was an article of commerce until well into the 20th century[183]. A flour from the seed is said to make a bread little inferior to wheat bread, the flour can also be used as a thickener in soups etc when it imparts a sweet delicate flavour[183]. Unfortunately, the seed is very small and therefore the plant is relatively unproductive[K].

• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse in a pot standing in 3 - 5cm of water. Surface sow the seed, or only just cover it. Germination should take place within 3 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown outdoors in situ in mid to late spring. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

The leaves have been burnt as an incense[257].

• Incense - Aromatic plants that can be burnt to impart a pleasant smell, repel insects and disinfect closed areas.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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