Triglochin maritima

'Sea Arrow Grass'

[Ex. Co. Durham 3.5m., England]

Juncaginaceae: an herbaceous perennial to 60cm. Found on salt marshes and grassy places near the sea. The inflorescence a long, dense raceme. Blooming from August to October. The fruit are widely egg-shaped, 2.5–6mm long. Leaves form a basal rosette, stalkless, erect. linear, 1–3mm wide, fleshy. Rootstock short, stout, with short runners. Native to Europe, including Britain, from the Arctic south and east to North Africa, Western and Northern Asia. North America.

USES:

The white base of the leaf stem can be eaten raw or cooked. Best harvested in late spring, the white base has a pleasant mild sweet taste, somewhat like cucumber. An unpleasant odour is produced whilst the plant is being cooked. The green parts of the plant should not be eaten since they can contain a toxin. It is said that British plants tend to lack the toxins due to the climate, the toxins are higher after long hot droughts.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Surface sow seeds from late summer – spring in moist compost. Plants are said to succeed in shallow water or a bog garden. But should do well in any well-drained soil that does not dry out, and a sunny site.

HARVESTED: 2021*