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Common Name: Saw Grass

General Information

Cladium mariscus is a perennial plant that can grow up to 3.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Widely distributed in the warmer and damper parts of both hemispheres, including Britain.

Habitat

Reed swamps and fens, often forming dense pure stands, usually on neutral or alkaline soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	3.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any wet or moisture-retentive soil in full sun or partial shade[].

Edible Uses

The young shoots may be edible[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The stems are used in thatching[].
The roots have been used to make small baskets[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in a pot standing in 2cm of water[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring[].