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Leymus arenarius - (L.)Hochst.

Common Name Lyme Grass, Sand ryegrass
Family Poaceae or Gramineae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dunes by the coast, often in association with Ammophila arenaria[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain and Siberia. N. America.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Leymus arenarius Lyme Grass, 	Sand ryegrass


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fabelfroh
Leymus arenarius Lyme Grass, 	Sand ryegrass
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fabelfroh

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Leymus arenarius is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 2 m (6ft 7in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from September to October. 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: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Leymus arenarius. (L.)Hochst.

Plant Habitats

 Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked[2, 105]. It can be ground into a flour and used to make bread[13]. A delicious taste[183] but very fiddly to use, the seed is small and hard to extract[K]. When cooked like rice, it can be used as a sweet or savoury dish. Mixed 50/50 with wheat flour it adds a richness to biscuits etc[183]. The protein content of this grain is said to rival that of red beans or salmon[183]. (This report seems somewhat surprising, protein levels are not usually anywhere near that high in a cereal[K].)

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fibre  Soil stabilization  Weaving

The leaves are used for making mats, rope, paper etc[46, 61]. The plants have a very extensive root system and so they are often planted near the coast in order to stabilize sand dunes[190, 200]. They can also be used as a ground cover for sandy open spaces but can be invasive[200, 208].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Staple Crop: Balanced carb  Wild-collected as Food

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils, preferring a sandy soil[1] and a sunny position[162]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[190]. A very invasive plant, spreading by means of its wide-ranging roots[1, 187]. Cultivated in Japan for making mats etc[46, 61]. The Viking settlers of Iceland cultivated this plant until the beginning of the 20th century for its edible seed[183].

Carbon Farming

  • Staple Crop: Balanced carb  (0-15 percent protein, 0-15 percent oil, with at least one over 5 percent). The carbohydrates are from either starch or sugar. Annuals include maize, wheat, rice, and potato. Perennials include chestnuts, carob, perennial fruits, nuts, cereals, pseudocereals, woody pods, and acorns.
  • Wild-collected as Food  Some wild plants have strong historic or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow mid spring in situ and only just cover the seed[162]. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. If the supply of seed is limited, it can also be sown in mid spring in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in summer[K] Division in spring or summer[162]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Russian Federation-European part (European part (north)), Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Spain (northwest), France

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Leymus condensatusGiant Wild RyePerennial2.0 6-9  LMHNDM212
Leymus racemosusVolga Wild Rye, Mammoth wildryePerennial1.2 4-8  LMHNDM303
Leymus triticoidesSquaw Grass, Beardless wildryePerennial1.2 0-0  LMHNDM302

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Hochst.

Botanical References

117200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Lauren Horner   Wed Sep 20 2006

I am researching Leymus Arenarius as part of course work for biology, the relationship with soil water content on sand dunes, if anyone has a information i would be very greatful for an email. [email protected]

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