Achnatherum hymenoides in hail storm
Achnatherum hymenoides has a distribution that ranges from British Columbia to northern Mexico, spanning most of the western part of the North American continent (the USDA PLANTS database also suggests an occurrence in Yukon).
This species is commonly known as Indian ricegrass, suggesting edibility. The Plants for a Future database account for Achnatherum hymenoides compiles information on this from a number of sources:
Seed – raw, cooked or ground into a meal and used in making bread etc, gruel and as a thickener in soups. The seed is rather small but when fully ripe it falls readily from the plant and is fairly easy to harvest. Another report says that the seed is rather large, but this has not been our experience. The seeds were parched over the flames of a fire in order to remove the hairs. A pleasant taste and very nutritious, it contains about 6% sugars and 20% starch. Before corn was introduced to the area, this seed was at one time a staple food for some native North American Indian tribes
For additional images, see the SEINET data portal’s account for Achnatherum hymenoides. You can also read about its ornamental and land reclamation uses via the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Back in the office next week!
Daniel, this photo is fantastic, both from the point of view of the scientific information imparted and the sheer artistry of the shot. The ‘moat’ of opuntias around the delicious grass is so revealing.
Thank you!!
You’re welcome!
Beautiful photo. And thanks for highlighting a grass.
Ah, Daniel, what a wonderful photo. Maybe that hail knocked a few seeds lose for creatures on the ground. If you’re still traveling, enjoy!
Another example of a beautiful native grass. I have a few of our natives planted in my landscape. Thanks you for this lovely photo.
Thank you all!
There is an interesting ecological piece to the story for this species as well. While the seeds may drop readily from the plant the enclosing bracts – lemma and palea – do not let go of the caryopsis (the seed) easily. The species has developed an essentially symbiotic relationship with rodents that stash the seeds and often remove these bracts that would otherwise make germination significantly more difficult for the species. Without the rodents – kangaroo rats (Dipodomys sp.) in particular are critical to survival of this species – this beautiful grass might not even exist!
Thanks Mark, that is a great addition.
Three cheers for kangaroo rats!