Herb: Chee Grass


Latin name: Stipa splendens


Family: Gramineae (Grass Family)



Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
180 cm
(6 feet)

Flowering:
May to
July

Habitat of Chee Grass:

Steppes.

Other uses of the herb:

A fibre from the leaves is used in making paper. The flowering culms are used for matting, fencing, fuel and the walls of summer tents for nomadic tribes.

Propagation of Chee Grass:

Seed - sow March in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks, but make sure that the compost does not dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. The seed can also be sown outdoors in April. Division in spring. 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:

Steppes.

Medicinal use of Chee Grass:

None known

Known hazards of Stipa splendens:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.