FAMILY :: GRAMINEAE
GIANT REED: A very tall (to 20′) perennial grass hardy in much of the US and found growing all over the world. Native to the Mediterranean region. A spectacular, easily grown grass with some interesting substances in its roots. The original Pan’s flute.
FAMILY :: GRAMINEAE
JOB’S TEARS: A 3-5′ tall ornamental tropical clump grass grown for its bead-like seeds which are made into magical rosaries and are edible and used for making bread and beer. Grow in rich, moist, well drained soil in sun or part shade.
FAMILY :: GRAMINEAE
TRUE LEMON GRASS: A 2-5′ tall tropical clump-grass with a strong lemon flavor. Give it very rich, well drained soil in full sun for best production. Will survive down to about 25° f. for high-altitude growers. Great as a tea and used in Southeast Asian cooking. Known only in cultivation; cannot be grown from seed.
This plant is easily grown and very productive in Puerto Vallarta.
FAMILY :: GRAMINEAE
CITRONELLA GRASS: Similar to C. citratus but with a less complex (lighter) lemon flavor. Produces flowers and can be grown from seed. Possibly the progenitor of C. citratus. Protect from freezing.
FAMILY :: GRAMINEAE
SUGAR-CANE: Large tropical perennial grass (to 12′ tall) widely grown for the production of sugar. Almost bamboo-like in appearance with 2″ wide, 3′ long leaves. Requires 18 months to produce sugar canes but may be easily grown as a specimen plant anywhere without solid freezes. This plant represents the first instance in the history of humanity where one ethnic group (Christian European colonialists) capitalized, so to speak, on large scale slavery for its cultivation.
The distillate of this plant in Mexico, Aqua diente, is, along with Tobacco, the most often used tool of local shamans.
Anyone wanting a large windscreen or shade planting of a bamboo-like plant (without bamboo’s tendency of spreading) would be wise to plant sugar cane. It will produce large, multiple canes in small pots. It likes sun and water and frequent fertilizing but is a no-brainer for brown-thumbers.
... In the Mercado