Astrebla pectinata
(Lindley) Benth.
Mitchell grass, Barley mitchell grass
(c) Kym Nicolson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kym Nicolson
(c) Kym Nicolson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kym Nicolson
(c) Euan Moore, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Euan Moore
What to Eat
Edible parts: Seeds, Cereal
Seed. Other species in the genus can also be used.
Where to Find It
It grows on dry cracking flood plains near rivers. It grows in tropical places.
Australia*,
How to Identify
A dense tussocky grass. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 20-100 cm high. There are short stout rhizomes. These have erect branched stems. The butts are often knotty. They can be covered with shining scales. The leaf sheaths are tight. The edges of the leaves are sharp and can become curly and twisted with age. The flowering stalk is 7-8 cm long.
How to Grow
It is grown from seed.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Other Uses
None known Special Uses
Wikipedia
Source ↗Astrebla pectinata, commonly known as barley Mitchell grass, is a herb of the family Poaceae from the order Poales.
Notes
There are 4 Astrebla species. They occur in Australia.
Names & Synonyms
Ganalay
References (11)
- Benth., Fl. austral. 7:602. 1878
- Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 101
- Davies, C. L., Waugh, D. L. & Lefroy, E. C., 2005, Perenial Grain Crops for High Water Use. The case of Microlaena stipoides. RIRDC Publication No. 05/024
- Isaacs, J., 1987, Bush Food, Aboriginal Food and Herbal Medicine. Weldons. p 114
- McKerney, M. & White, H., 2011, Bush Tucker, Boomerangs & Bandages. Border River-Gwyder Catchment Management Authority p 143
- Morley, B.D., & Toelken, H.R., (Eds), 1983, Flowering Plants in Australia. Rigby. p 391
- Paczkowska, G. & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 96
- Petheram, R.J. and Kok, B., 2003, Plants of the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. UWA Press p 57
- Steenbeeke, Greg as part of the Plants Directory project. List of plant species from northern NSW that may be used as food plants p 10
- Wheeler, J.R.(ed.), 1992, Flora of the Kimberley Region. CALM, Western Australian Herbarium, p 1128
- Williams, K.A.W., 1999, Native Plants of Queensland Volume 4. Keith A.W. Williams North Ipswich, Australia. p 66
