Glyceria acutiflora

Glyceria acutiflora, the creeping mannagrass, is a perennial grass found in the north-eastern United States and in north-eastern Asia. Its specific epithet acutiflora means "acute-flowered". It has a diploid number of 40.

Description

A perennial grass reaching 0.6m tall, hermaphroditic and wind-pollinated. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acid, neutral, and basic pH tolerance. Requires full sun, prefers wet soil, and grows in water.

Edible Uses

The seeds can be ground into flour and used as a cereal. They are considered an emergency food, used when all else fails. The seed is very small and fiddly to harvest.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It will grow in shallow water.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Japan, Korea, North America, USA,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. It will require wet conditions or shallow water.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse in a pot standing in 3–5cm of water, surface-sowing or barely covering the seed. Germination should occur within 3 weeks. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in early summer. Division in spring is also straightforward; larger clumps can be replanted directly into permanent positions, though smaller clumps are better potted up and grown on in a cold frame until rooting well before planting out in spring.

Other Uses

None known

Notes

There are 16 (40) Glyceria species. They grow in temperate places. They grow along the edges of streams.

References (2)

• Romanowski, N., 2007, Edible Water Gardens. Hyland House. p 58
• Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

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