Secale sylvestre aka Secale Sylvestre

Secale sylvestre is a grass in the family Poaceae. Its native range spans east-central and southeastern Europe to Central Asia. Kew places it in temperate regions and classes it as annual. Plants For A Future lists it as perennial instead. That source also suggests growing it as an annual crop. These accounts leave some doubt about its life cycle in gardens.

Plants For A Future gives a height of 4 feet [1.2 metres]. It does not give a spread or describe the plant's shape. The supplied evidence gives no details of leaves or stems. Each flower has both male and female organs. Wind carries the pollen, rather than insects or other animals. No flowering season appears in the evidence. Seed is the part grown for food.

This species occurs on sandy soils, according to Plants For A Future. In gardens, it accepts sand, loam, and clay. It favours light soil that drains well and a sunny site. It does not grow in shade. Suitable soil ranges from mildly acid through neutral to mildly alkaline. It prefers moist ground but can also cope with drought. These needs support a sunny bed with good drainage. They do not suggest a need for wet ground.

Plants For A Future says frost does not harm the plant. It gives no hardiness zone or minimum winter temperature. Its notes suggest it may grow as an annual in Britain. They also raise the option of sowing for growth through winter. The source stresses that its knowledge of this species is limited. It advises sowing seed in place in March or October. Cover the seed with only a thin layer of soil. The stated germination time is about two weeks.

Plants For A Future reports seed cultivation in Tibet and China. The cooked seed can serve as a whole grain. It can also be ground into flour for cereal use. The source gives its food value three out of five. It lists no known medicinal uses or other uses. It also lists no known hazards, though that is not proof of safety. The evidence names no pests or diseases for this species. Plants For A Future does not flag it as weedy. Its supported garden role is in cultivated beds or seed crops.