Common Name: Chee Grass

General Information

Neotrinia splendens is an evergreen, perennial clump-forming grass with erect stems that can grow around 50 - 250cm tall[].
The plant is very important for the local economy in many of the areas where it grows, supplying materials for items such as matting, fencing, walls and fuel..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Central and eastern Asia - from western Siberia, Central Asia, Afghanistan, east through Mongolia, China and the Himalayas to eastern China

Habitat

Steppes, mountain slopes, grassy places, usually growing in sandy, stony, alkaline or saline soils; always associated with a high water table; at elevations from 900 - 4,500 metres[, , ].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Neotrinia splendens is native to arid and semi-arid regions with hot summers and cold wnters. It is known to be cold hardy, tolerating temperatures down to at least -15°c, probably more, and oftem experiences deep snow in the winter[, ].
Easily grown in an ordinary well-drained garden soil in full sun[, ]. Succeeds in dry soils. Tolerates high levels of salinity[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
The plant forms large, dense tussocks[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used for improving saline and alkaline land[].

Other Uses

A fibre from the leaves is used in making paper[]. The stout, smooth, long culms are made into mattings, floor-mats, fences, and walls for summer tents of nomads[, ].
The fibre oftained from the plant is quite suitable for paper manufacture[].

The dried plant is also often used as fuel within its native range[]..

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks, but make sure that the compost does not dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. The seed can also be sown outdoors in mid spring.
Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.