Sporobolus asperifolius

Nees. & C. A. Mey.

Alkali Muhly

Poaceae Edible: Seeds, Cereal

iNaturalist· cc-by

Summary

Perennial grass reaching 0.3m tall. Hermaphroditic, wind-pollinated. Tolerates sandy and loamy soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acid to mildly alkaline pH. Requires full sun and prefers dry soil.

Description

Edible Uses

The seed can be eaten raw or cooked. It is parched and ground into a flour, then eaten dry or made into a mush.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant.

Where It Grows

Central America, Mexico, North America, USA,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any well drained soil in a sunny position.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse, barely covering it. Germination should occur within 2 weeks. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in summer if sufficiently grown, otherwise overwinter in the greenhouse and plant out in late spring the following year. Divide in spring; larger divisions can go directly into permanent positions. Smaller divisions are best potted up and grown on in a lightly shaded cold frame, planted out once well established in summer.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses

Notes

There are about 160 Sporobolus species. They are mainly in the tropics and subtropics.

Synonyms

Muhlenbergia asperifolia, (Nees.&Mey.)Parodi.

References (2)

Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/