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Common Name: Marsh Arrow Grass

General Information

Triglochin palustris is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.50 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

The green leaves of plants can contain a toxic cyanogenic glycoside, it is especially present during and just after a drought and is particularly toxic to ruminants[]. Plants growing in Britain are usually perfectly safe, this is probably due to the climate[].

Botanical References

Range

Europe, including Britain, from the Arctic south and east to N. Africa, northern Asia. N. America.

Habitat

Marshes, usually amongst tall grass[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in shallow water or a bog garden[]. This plant does not seem to require high salt levels for its survival[].

Edible Uses

The white base of the leaf stem can be eaten raw or cooked[]. An unpleasant odour is produced in the cooking process but the flavour of the stems is sweet[]. The green parts of the plant should not be eaten since they can contain a toxin. See notes at top of the page.
Seed - parched and ground into a powder[].
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible. Stand the pots in about 2cm of water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring[]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.