Oryzopsis asperifolia - Mountain Rice

Family:	Gramineae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.45
Synonyms:	O. aspera.
Range:	Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to New York, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Oryzopsis asperifolia (Mountain Rice) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.45m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
Mountain Rice will flower in October to January. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Mountain Rice will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important 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
Mountain Rice prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Mountain Rice should not be planted in shady areas.

Open coniferous woods, thickets and peaty openings southwards from Canada[43, 60].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. One report says that the plant has a relatively large seed and is deserving of more attention as a potential food crop[2]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any moderately fertile moisture retentive soil in full sun[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Seed - raw, cooked or ground into a meal. The seed is fairly large with a fine and abundant farina[2, 105], it can be ground into an excellent flour[85, 213]. A pleasant taste. The seed is difficult to harvest because it drops from the plant very easily[105].

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

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ[200]. We have had better results from sowing the seed in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed and it should germinate freely within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer[K]. Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Hitchcock. C. L.
Author: Hitchcock. C. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1955

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