Triglochin palustris - Marsh Arrow Grass

Family:	Juncaginaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.5
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe, including Britain, from the Arctic south and east to N. Africa, northern Asia. N. America.

Triglochin palustris (Marsh Arrow Grass) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
Marsh Arrow Grass will flower in December to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Marsh 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 of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Marsh Arrow Grass prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Marsh Arrow Grass should not be planted in shady areas.

Marshes, usually amongst tall grass[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]. This plant does not seem to require high salt levels for its survival[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
The white base of the leaf stem can be eaten raw or cooked[172]. An unpleasant odour is produced in the cooking process but the flavour of the stems is sweet[172]. The green parts of the plant should not be eaten since they can contain a toxin. See notes at top of the page. Seed - parched and ground into a powder[172]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[172].

• 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 disclaimer
Medicinal 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[172]. Plants growing in Britain are usually perfectly safe, this is probably due to the climate[76].

Other Uses

None known

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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