Avena wiestii

Steud.

Desert oat, Oat-grass

Poaceae Edible: Seeds, Cereal 19 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Annual grass reaching flowering in June to July with seed ripening August to October. Hermaphroditic and wind-pollinated. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acidic to basic soils and cannot tolerate shade. Drought-tolerant and adapts to nutritionally poor conditions.

Description

Edible Uses

Seeds are the edible part. Harvest and dry seeds in late summer for storage lasting several years. Seeds have a floury texture with mild, creamy flavor. Use whole or ground into flour as a cereal grain like oats—prepare as porridge, biscuits, sourdough bread, and other baked goods. Sprout seeds for raw or cooked salads and stews. Roast seeds as a coffee substitute.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It grows in areas with a rainfall between 300-400 mm.

Where It Grows

Europe, Mediterranean, Middle East, Syria,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species, but it should be possible to grow it as a spring-sown annual in Britain, and might also succeed as an autumn-sown crop. A diploid species, it is of little commercial importance. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil in full sun. Oats are in general easily grown plants but, especially when grown on a small scale, the seed is often completely eaten out by birds. Some sort of netting seems to be the best answer on a garden scale.

Propagation

Sow seeds in situ in early spring or autumn, covering lightly. Germination occurs within 2 weeks.

Other Uses

Straw provides multiple uses including biomass, fiber, mulch, papermaking, and thatching. Use caution with straw as mulch around strawberries due to risk of stem and bulb eelworm infestation.