Triglochin maritima - Sea Arrow Grass
| Family: | Juncaginaceae |
| Habit: | Perennial |
| Height: | 0.6 |
| Synonyms: | |
| Range: | Europe, including Britain, from the Arctic south and east to N. Africa, W. and N. Asia. N. America. |
Sea Arrow Grass will flower in January to March. the seeds ripen from February to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind
Soil Information
Sea Arrow 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 between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Sea Arrow Grass prefers soils
Ideal Planting Locations
Sea Arrow Grass should not be planted in shady areas.Salt marshes and grassy places near the sea[9, 17].
Planting places suited to this plant described below.
- Is a pond plant
- A bog garden plant
Cultivation Details
Succeeds in shallow water or a bog garden[200]. Possibly requires saline conditions[K].Edible Uses*
* See disclaimerEdible Rating: 2/5
The white base of the leaf stem can be eaten raw or cooked[46, 61, 85, 103]. Best harvested in late spring, the white base has a pleasant mild sweet taste, somewhat like cucumber[256]. An unpleasant odour is produced whilst the plant is being cooked[74]. The green parts of the plant should not be eaten since they can contain a toxin[172]. Only the bases of leaf stems should be used, and not the bases of flowering stems[256]. See notes at top of the page. Seed - parched and ground into a powder[85, 105, 161, 172, 257]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[161, 172, 212].
- Coffee - the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.
- Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
- Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.
Medicinal Uses*
* See disclaimerMedicinal Rating: 0/5
None known
Propagation
Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible. Stand the pots in about 2cm of water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[200]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.Known Hazards
The green leaves of plants can contain a toxic cyanogenic glycoside, it is especially present during and just after a drought and is particularly toxic to ruminants[76, 85]. Plants growing in Britain are usually perfectly safe, this is probably due to the climate[76].Other Uses
The ashes of the plant are rich in potassium and can be used in making soap[74].- Soap making - Plants used as an ingredient in making soaps. Does not include the essential oils, dyes and oils that are also used in making soap.
Cultivars
no recorded cultivarsReferences
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
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992
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