Sloughgrass (Beckmannia eruciformis)

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Beckmannia eruciformis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

mild flavour, it can be ground into a flour and used as a cereal. — A mild flavour, it can be ground into a flour and used as a cereal.; The seed is very small but is easily harvested.; It does then have to be separated from its husk, which is a very fiddly operation.; American Indian tribes burn the husks of grass seeds.

Habitat & North American Range

Wet meadows, swamps, marshes and shallow water. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)