Description

Despite its common name, this species is not a grass at all, but is in fact distantly related to Jack-in-the-Pulpit. At first glance it may look grass-like, but is more fleshy. The leaves are all basal. The big giveaway is when it comes time to reproduce. Small greenish flowers are produced all along the upper stem, which become small bulbils similar to ones produced by garlic. These ones are so eager to grow, they may even sprout while still on the parent plant! People have eaten the inner leaf bases, claiming it tastes like cucumber at the right stage. However, Seaside Arrograss produces cyanogenic glycosides which become cyanide when chewed. Livestock poisonings have occurred, so it is best to use caution. This semi-aquatic to aquatic plant does have a high salt tolerance though, so it can be useful where high salt levels are an issue.