Common Name: Upland Bent

General Information

Agrostis perennans is a perennial, clump-forming grass with weak, decumbent stems 50 - 100cm long. This is a very variable plant in the wild, it is erect and rather stout when growing in dry open ground, but weak with a lax panicle when growing in the shade[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

N. America from Ontario to Newfoundland, eastern and central USA to Texas, Florida; Mexico to Costa Rica; montane areas of S. America; Dominica, Haiti

Habitat

Open woods, thickets, rocky banks and dryish open soil[]. In swamps, along streams, slopes, fields, and pastures; at elevations from 1,300 - 3,700 metres in Guatemala[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.90 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Agrostis perennans has a very wide native range, from southern Canada through much of the United States, Central America to the south of South America. In the tropics it is generally found at elevations above 1,500 metres and sometimes in excess of 4,000 metres, whilst in temperate areas it can descend almost to sea level.
The plant can be found in a variety of habitats in the wild, often in dryish soils in temperate areas whilst also found in quite wet habitats in more tropical regions[, ].

Edible Uses

Seed[, ]. No further details are given, though it is probably used as a cereal[]. The seed is very small, its collection and utilization would be very fiddly[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow outdoors in a seedbed in spring and only just cover the seed[]. It usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks so long as the soil does not dry out.