Sporobolus caroli

Mez

Fairy or yakka bush, Yakka grass

Poaceae Edible: Seeds, Cereal 68 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Sporobolus caroli, also known as fairy grass or yakka grass, is a grass native to inland Australia.

Description

A slender grass. It forms tufts. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 20-40 cm high. The leaves are light green and 15 cm long. There are small spines along the edge. The flowers are purple. The seed heads are 20 cm long. The seeds are 2 mm long and black.

Edible Uses

The seed can be eaten raw or cooked and ground into a flour. Though small, it falls easily from the husk.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It grows on clay and floodplains. It is a subtropical plant.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

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.

References (6)

Anon., 2003, Native Plants for the Fitzroy basin. Society for Growing Australian Plants Inc. (Rockhampton Branch) p 75
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 191
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 227
Menninger, E.A., 1977, Edible Nuts of the World. Horticultural Books. Florida p 151
Paczkowska, G. & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 117

Show all 6 references