Common Name: Squaw Grass

General Information

Leymus triticoides is a perennial clump-forming grass with strong, spreading rhizomes; it can grow up to 120cm tal, often spreading to form large coloniesl[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is often used in soil stabilization projects, especially for helping to protect the sides of rivers from erosion[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Western N. America - British Columbia and Montana, south to northern Mexico and Texas.

Habitat

Dry to moist river flats, saline meadows and sand dunes[]. Riparian areas, bottomlands, valleys, foothills, mountain flats and meadows; from coastal marshes to high elevations[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a sandy soil and a sunny position[, ]. This species is found mainly on heavier soils in the wild[]. The plant is tolerant of prolonged inundation of the soil, even when the water is fast-flowing[].
In good soils, the roots may go down 3 metres[].
The plant has extensively creeping rhizomes and often forms large clumps in the wild[].
The plant is fairly tolerant of mowing, well, especially if mown late in the growing season and if not mown too short[].
The plant is fire tolerant. Although top growth is killed off, the plant will resprout from the roots, usually producing new growth in late summer[].
Most wild ecotypes flower but do not produce seed. The seed does not shatter as easily as many other species and, if viable seed is produced, then it usually remains on the plant and can be collected over a period of 4 - 20 weeks[].
There are between 245,000 and 290,000 seeds per kilo. and if planted at a rate of 1 kilo per hectare there would be approximately 300 seeds per square metre[].

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked[, , , , , ]. Used as a piñole[]. The seed can be ground into a flour and used to make bread, cakes, porridge or as a cereal[, ]. The seed is rather small and fiddly to harvest. The hairs on the seed must be removed before consumption. The N. American Indians would singe the seed in order to remove these hairs[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used in soil stabilization projects on channel, stream and river slopes and for the restoration of roadside, riparian and rangeland areas[]. The plant has an excellent ability to tolerate flooding and fast currents - it lays flat during periods when rivers have high water flow, thus allowing full water flow while still protecting the streambank[].

Other Uses

The leaves are used in basket making and for making mats, rope, paper etc[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow mid spring in situ and only just cover the seed[]. 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[]. Growth is slow in the first few months, but soon accelerates[].
Division in spring or summer[]. 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.