Oryzopsis asperifolia
| Oryzopsis asperifolia | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Mid Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Oryzopsis asperifolia (common name: mountain rice)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in situ[1].
We have had better results from sowing the seed in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed and it should germinate freely within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer[K].
Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. One report says that the plant has a relatively large seed and is deserving of more attention as a potential food crop[2]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in any moderately fertile moisture retentive soil in full sun[1].
Range: Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to New York, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Habitat: Open coniferous woods, thickets and peaty openings southwards from Canada[3][4].
Edibility: Seed - raw, cooked or ground into a meal. The seed is fairly large with a fine and abundant farina[2][5], it can be ground into an excellent flour[6][7]. A pleasant taste. The seed is difficult to harvest because it drops from the plant very easily[5].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: O. aspera.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Harrington, Harold. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press, 1967.
- ↑ Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.