Common Name: False Manna Grass

General Information

Torreyochloa pallida is a perennial cool season grass that grows 30 to 150 cm tall. The stems are erect to decumbent (low lying and bent upward) and may root where the nodes (joints) touch the ground. It actively spreads by means of rhizomes to form a loose clump[].
The plant has potential for use in water purification and soil stabilization projects.
The species is widespread and while it is possibly declining in parts of its range, it is not thought that any global population decline is likely to meet (or be close to meeting) the threshold for Vulnerable. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Russian Far East, Japan, Korea; N. America - Alaska to Newfoundland, south to California, New Mexico, Tennessee and Georgia

Habitat

Freshwater marshes, swamps, wet forest openings, wet meadows, ditches and other depressions[]. Marshy areas and roadside ditches where reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) does not dominate; at elevations from near sea level to the timber line[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows well in a sunny position, though it seems to prefer light shade. It typically occurs on continuously moist, saturated, and shallow flooded soils, usually with an acid pH, on soils comprised of loamy, organic, or sandy substrates[]. The plant's tolerance to salinity, alkalinity, and high acidity is not well reported[].
Seed retention is fair to good, production is high and seed fill is excellent. False mannagrass also ripens over several weeks in late summer wherever soil moisture is non-uniform. These features make wild collection easy[].
At moderate elevations in Oregon, the plant can form its own plant association where it comprises 30 - 80% of the total cover. Most of the surface area between plants is mud or open water[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

This species has the potential for use in restoration and enhancement projects of forested wetlands, prairie wetlands, and riparian wetlands, as well as other non tidal wetland plant communities[]. Its underground creeping stems (rhizomes) improve the plants ability to stabilize soils along faster moving streams and watercourses. The plant also provides food and shelter - the seeds are probably eaten by waterfowl and other birds, while the foliage provides cover for wildlife[].
The plant may have potential for use in ditches or swales designed to filter agricultural or stormwater runoff[].
Strong rhizome production coupled with low lying, curved stems that root from the joints, makes this species a good candidate for streambank, channel, and shoreline stabilization[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - usually sown in situ in its native habitats, it can also be sown in a cold frame in the autumn or spring. Surface sow, and gently press the seed into the soil so that it is just covered. Prick the seedlings out into individual pots or a nursery seedbed and grow on until large enough to plant out.
Division of the rhizomes is easy.