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Phyllospadix torreyi - S.Watson.

Common Name Sea Grass, Torrey's surfgrass
Family Zosteraceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Intertidal zone; -15 m; B.C.; California., Oregon.; Mexico (Baja California).
Range Western N. America - Alaska to California.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Wet Soil Water Plants Full sun
Phyllospadix torreyi Sea Grass, Torrey


Phyllospadix torreyi Sea Grass, Torrey

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Phyllospadix torreyi is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). .
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root
Edible Uses:

The entire plant, including the long salty-tasting leaves, were formed into square cakes and dried as a winter food by some native North American Indian tribes[256]. Roots - raw or cooked[257].

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

Basketry

The bleached leaves have been used to make baskets[257].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it is hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. The main problem with this plant is that it is likely to require maritime conditions and possibly also periodic inundation in salt water, so it might not be possible to cultivate the plant under normal garden conditions.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe if this is possible in a greenhouse and perhaps adding some salt to the soil. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (British Columbia), United States (Oregon, Washington, California), Mexico (Baja)

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
Phyllospadix scouleriSurf Grass, Scouler's surfgrassPerennial0.1 0-0  LMHNWeWa20 

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

S.Watson.

Botanical References

Links / References

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

Readers comment

BF   Sun Jun 28 2009

Mollison, in Permaculture Two, states that seagrass makes good wall insulation. "Safest" is the word he uses (p. 92), but I'm not quite sure what he means by that.

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Subject : Phyllospadix torreyi  
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