Family: Hypoxidaceae
Common name: Palm grass, Palm star grass, Weevil lily, Whale back
Palm grass is a beautiful, evergreen plant that can be grown in pots or flower beds in home gardens or landscaped areas. They are native to South Asia and is very commonly seen in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and even Northern Australia.
Plant characteristics
Palm grass plants are short, growing to a height of 1 m with a short, soft, and erect stem that is 30-60 cm tall. The stems are covered by long, graceful leaves that arise from the stem and arch downwards.
Leaves of the Palm grass plants are long and lance-shaped with a glossy, dark green color. They are about 15-30 cm long and pleated beautifully length-wise, this being a distinguishing characteristic of the Palm grass plants. The leaves look like palm leaves, giving the plant its name.
Palm grass plants also produce small, tubular flowers in dense clusters, but they are usually hidden in the foliage and not very noticeable. Flowers are 2-3 cm in diameter, yellow in color with prominent stamens in the center.
Flowers bloom in large clusters attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, small birds, and insects that help pollinate them.
Palm grass plants are capable of producing small, round fruits that contain a single seed, though they are not normally seen in garden plants.
Gardening tips
Palm grass plants need good sunlight, but they can also grow well in the partial shade of large trees. Bright, direct sunlight might burn the edges of the leaves.
They need well-drained soil and regular watering. These plants grow well in moist, humid conditions with good rainfall.
Fertilize occasionally with a mild, well-balanced fertilizer and prune any wilted or diseased leaves.
Palm grass plants can be grown in pots or in flower beds successfully. When grown in flower beds or around the base of large trees, these plants can grow quickly and cover large areas, spreading through small plants that grow from the parent plants.
Uses of Palm grass
Palm grass plants are mostly grown as ornamentals, though they have some other uses as well. The leaves are used to wrap fruits, vegetables, and other food materials.
Fibers collected from the leaves are used to make fishing nets and ropes. Leaves of the Palm grass plants are also used for makeshift bandages to wrap medicines around wounds and inflammations.
Fruits are edible though they are not commonly eaten. Parts of the plant are used in the treatment of asthma, jaundice, urinary tract infections, arthritis, hypertension, cough, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, and gastric ailments.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds and root division.
Seeds are not commonly seen in garden plants, and hence this method of propagation is not feasible.
Mature plants produce small plants from the base, which can be carefully separated and replanted. When planted in pots, they can fill the pot quickly, from which they can be repotted as individual plants.
Photographed at: Cinnamon Bentota, Sri Lanka
