Dragon's Beard Grass, also known as Reed Grass, Wild Cotton Grass, and Sheep's Beard Grass, is a common plant in rural areas. It has strong vitality and is now widely used in the medical field. Let's take a look at the uses of Dragon's Beard Grass!
Characteristics of Dragon's Beard Grass
Dragon's Beard Grass, also known as "Mountain Grass" or "Reed Grass," is a perennial herbaceous plant.
It has long and slender stems, reaching over a meter in length. It has brownish tea-colored scales on the lower leaves. In summer, flower stalks grow about 10 centimeters from the stem tips, bearing multiple small flowers in a pale green color.
The dried stems of Dragon's Beard Grass are flattened, cylindrical, or linear, measuring 30 to 50 centimeters in length and 1 to 1.5 millimeters in diameter. The tips are gradually pointed, slightly thicker near the base, with a smooth surface and a pale yellow-green color, showing longitudinal fine texture.
It has a solid and soft texture. The cross-section is yellowish-white, with loosely packed white marrow in the center, but not well-developed. It has no odor and a mild taste. Drying evenly with a greenish color is preferred.
Uses of Dragon's Beard Grass
Dragon's Beard Grass, also known as "Mountain Grass" or "Reed Grass" in the local area, has long and slender stems, reaching over a meter in length. It has brownish tea-colored scales on the lower leaves. In summer, flower stalks grow about 10 centimeters from the stem tips, bearing multiple small flowers in a pale green color.
It is harvested in autumn. The characteristics of Dragon's Beard Grass are that it does not produce nodes, has long fibers, good tensile strength, and a milky-white color. It is a high-quality raw material for making rubber plate printing paper, copying paper, and banknote paper. It is also a good material for making ropes. It can also be used as filling material for soft furniture, and in some places, Dragon's Beard Grass is processed to make carpets.
After harvesting and cleaning it at home, it can be twisted into ropes and used to make grass shoes. Grass shoes woven with Dragon's Beard Grass are very sturdy.
In addition to making grass shoes, Dragon's Beard Grass can also be used to make raincoats. Its uses in rural areas are very diverse.
Cultivation of Dragon's Beard Grass
1. Soil Requirements
Dragon's Beard Grass prefers to grow in slightly alkaline sandy soil, mainly in steep slopes, on gentle slopes closer to the river, and in locations with good ventilation.
2. Fertilization Requirements
It is best to fertilize Dragon's Beard Grass during the vigorous growth period, which is in the middle and late May. Fertilizing during this period is beneficial for the growth of Dragon's Beard Grass. After fertilization, it is recommended to turn the soil to evenly distribute the fertilizer.
3. Watering Requirements
In addition to requiring sufficient light, Dragon's Beard Grass is also a type of plant that prefers water. If it lacks water, it may cause the leaves to turn yellow or wither. In severe cases, it may lead to plant death.
