Heteropogon triticeus

(R. Br.) Stapf ex Craib

Bush Sugarcane, Wheat Spear Grass, Giant spear grass

Poaceae Edible: Stems 188 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Heteropogon triticeus is a tropical, perennial tussock grass with a native distribution encompassing Tropical and Temperate Asia, Malesia and Northern and Eastern Australia. The plant grows to over 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height and is favoured in most environments by frequent burning. The plants develop characteristic dark seeds with a single long awn at one end and a sharp spike at the other. The awn becomes twisted when dry and straightens when moistened, and in combination with the spike is capable of drilling the seed into the soil. The species is known as giant spear grass, and is closely related to the more common black spear grass, with which it is commonly associated in Northern Australia. It is sometimes sucked by Indigenous Australian communities in the Northern Territory for its sweet liquid.

Description

A large grass. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 2-3 m high. It forms loose tussocks. The stems are 2-3 m tall. The leaves are 5-12 cm long by 0.3-0.4 cm wide. The flower spikes are 5-15 cm long. The male spikelets are 1-2 cm long and the female spikelets are 0.6-0.8 cm long.

Edible Uses

The stems are broken into pieces and chewed for their sweet juice.

Traditional Uses

The stems are broken into pieces and chewed for the sweet juice.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally in open forest and woodlands. It requires sun and well drained soil.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, China, East Timor, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or by division of the clump.

Notes

There are about 12 Heteropogon species.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Leaves	90	57	14	0.5	—	—	0.1	0.7

Also Known As

Indaing-myauk-ni, Pitarika, Spear grass

References (11)

Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 432. 1912
Cowie, I, 2006, A Survey of Flora and vegetation of the proposed Jaco-Tutuala-Lore National Park. Timor-Lests (East Timor) www.territorystories.nt/gov.au p 52
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1990, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 5. Lothian. p 322
Hiddins, L., 1999, Explore Wild Australia with the Bush Tucker Man. Penguin Books/ABC Books. p 142
Jackes, B. R., 2010, Plants of Magnetic Island. 3rd Edition. James Cook University, Australia. p 36

Show all 11 references

Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 131
Morley, B.D., & Toelken, H.R., (Eds), 1983, Flowering Plants in Australia. Rigby. p 392
Tiwi Plants and Animals. 2001, Aboriginal flora and fauna knowledge from Bathurst and Melville Islands, northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin; No. 24 p 57
Wightman, G. & Andrews, M., 1991, Bush Tucker Identikit. Common Native Food Plants of Australia’s top end. Conservation Commission Northern Territory. p 58
Wightman, G. & Brown, J., 1994, Jawoyn Plant Identikit, Common Useful Plants in the Katherine Area of Northern Australia. Conservation Commission Northern Territory. p 58
Yunupinu Banjgul, Laklak Yunupinu-Marika, et al. 1995, Rirratjinu Ethnobotany: Aboriginal Plant Use from Yirrkala, Arnhem Land, Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin No 21. Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory. p 47