Herb: Bayonet Grass


Latin name: Scirpus paludosus


Synonyms: Bolboschoenus maritimus paludosus, Bolboschoenus paludosus, Scirpus campestris, Scirpus maritimus paludosus


Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)



Edible parts of Bayonet Grass:

Root - raw or cooked. Rich in starch, they can be dried and ground into a powder then mixed with cereal flours for making bread and other items. Pollen. Rich in protein, it can be mixed with flour and used for making bread etc.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
50 cm
(1 foot)

Habitat of the herb:

Alkaline marshes and on shores. Salt marshes.

Propagation of Bayonet Grass:

Seed - sow in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in a pot standing in 3cm of water. Only just cover the seed with soil. The seed usually germinates fairly quickly. Prick out the plants when large enough to handle and plant out in their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Cultivation of the herb:

Alkaline marshes and on shores. Salt marshes.

Medicinal use of Bayonet Grass:

None known

Known hazards of Scirpus paludosus:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.