Cheat Grass (Bromus tectorum)

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Bromus tectorum is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. 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, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Seed - cooked. A famine food, the small seed can be cooked into a gruel in times of food shortage. A coffee is made from the roasted seed. — A famine food, the small seed can be cooked into a gruel in times of food shortage.; A coffee is made from the roasted seed.

Habitat & North American Range

Roadsides and waste places, also in thatched roofs in Eastern N. America. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)