Common Name: Mango

General Information

Bromus mango is an annual to short-lived perennial grass with short rhizomes; forming a small clump, the plant grows 40 - 60cm tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. This species was cultivated as a biennial cereal crop by the Araucana Indians of Chile until at least the middle of the 19th century[]..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - central and southern Chile, southern Argentina.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally succeed in most well-drained soils in a sunny position[, ]. It succeeds on infertile acid soils[].
Thought to have become extinct, the plant has recently (1990 article) been rediscovered[]. It has been grown successfully outdoors at Kew Gardens in Londn[].

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked. It is toasted and ground into a flour, then used to make an unleavened bread called 'cougue'[]. It is also used to make a drink called 'chicha'[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ and only just cover. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.
If seed is in short supply it can be surface sown in a cold frame in early spring. When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.