Sporobolus flexuosus
(Thunb. ex Vasey) Rydb.
Mesa dropseed
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Summary
Source: WikipediaSporobolus flexuosus is a species of grass known by the common name mesa dropseed. It is native to western North America, where it can be found in the deserts and woodlands of the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. This bunchgrass forms a tuft of stems growing up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) long, erect to decumbent in form. It is a perennial grass but it is short-lived and is sometimes an annual. The leaves are up to 26 centimetres (10 in) long and rough-haired along the margins. The inflorescence is an open panicle of spreading branches bearing grayish spikelets.
Description
Sporobolus flexuosus is a perennial grass. Wind-pollinated, hermaphroditic plant suited to light sandy or medium loamy, well-drained soil spanning mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH. Requires full sun, tolerates both dry and moist conditions, and is drought-resistant.
Edible Uses
The seed can be eaten raw or cooked. It grinds into a flour suitable for use as a gruel or for mixing with cereal flours when making bread, biscuits, and similar baked goods. When fully ripe, the grain separates cleanly from the chaff. The seed is very small and fiddly to work with, and is considered a famine food — typically gathered only when more convenient food sources are scarce.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It is a warm temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Central America, Mexico, North America, USA,
Propagation
Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse, barely covering it; germination should occur within two weeks. Prick seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle and plant out during summer if sufficiently developed, otherwise overwinter them in the greenhouse and plant out in late spring the following year. For division in spring, larger clumps can go directly into permanent positions, while smaller divisions do best potted up and grown on in a lightly shaded cold frame until well established, then planted out in summer.
Other Uses
None known Special Uses
Other Information
It is a famine food.
Notes
There are about 160 Sporobolus species. They are mainly in the tropics and subtropics.
References (6)
- 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)
- Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 32:601. 1905
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 835
- Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 542
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Show all 6 references Hide references
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
