Frozen meadow: description, use in medicine and ornamental horticulture

The family of cereals (bluegrass) is numerous and includes more than 10 thousand plant species. Many of them are of great economic importance (rye, oats, wheat, barley, etc.). Some are medicinal, others are decorative, and some combine several features. In particular, the meadow foxtail is widely used both in folk medicine and in ornamental horticulture.

Botanical description of the plant

The plant is perennial, grassy, forms large loose sod. Rhizome short, height reaches 50-120 cm, the leaves are flat, linear, pointed, rough, green, sometimes with a bluish coating, with a width of 4 to 10 mm. Inflorescence is characteristic of the plant family - panicle. Its length is 3-10 cm and its width is 6-9 mm. Spikelets are elliptical in shape and collected in twigs of three or four pieces.

Blossoms a foxtail meadow (a family of cereals) in June, fruiting begins in July. It is noteworthy that the plant belongs to the morning cereals. Its flowering can be observed in the early hours - from 4-5 to 7-8 in the morning. Fruit - egg is ovate, flattened, 4-6 mm long, has small spines. Fruiting occurs in the second year of growth, pollination occurs by wind. In the grass can grow in one place up to 10 years.

Habitat and distribution

Traditionally, the meadow foxgrass plant is considered typical of the meadows of northern Europe, which are its geographical homeland. However, at present it has spread everywhere, with the exception of tropical zones. Very often in places of growth, it forms dense thickets with soil retention. Equally well grows in marshy and wet meadows, dry lands, forest glades, banks of rivers and lakes, pebbles, found along the roadsides. It is the predominant plant in the herbage on the various sprinkled meadows along with the stamens of creeping, bluegrass, and ovine runaway.

Soils of foxtail meadow, the description of which is given in the article, prefers loose, moderately moist, fertile, peatlands and loam. Steadily up to a month can endure prolonged waterlogging, for example, during flooding. However, salinization, stagnation of moisture and swamping, as well as severe droughts for it are fatal.

Chemical composition of raw materials and its preparation

The harvesting time of all wild cereals occurs in the summer. Cut grass at the initial stage is cleaned of coarse particles, earth, dust, sifted. Then the cereals are dried outdoors under the sun or in the shade, but in a well-ventilated room. Stems and thin leaves can be stored in a dry place for up to three years. Licorice foxtail in one kilogram contains up to 25 g of protein, up to 70 mg of carotene, 0.7 g of phosphorus, 3 g of calcium and a total of about 0.23 of the feed unit.

Pharmacological properties

From the point of view of official medicine, the plant has not yet been fully studied. According to scientists from Germany, it can be used effectively for the treatment of arthrosis, rheumatic diseases, arthritis. It gives a warming and anaesthetising effect, the flavonoids contained in its composition contribute to the strengthening of the walls of blood vessels and capillaries, well affect the activity of the cardiovascular system. Carotene increases the body's defenses and strengthens the eyesight.

Lichen meadow in folk medicine

Herbs treat a lot, and this is a proven fact. It is important in this matter not to disregard the consultations of specialists and to know the measure. Lysohvost, in particular, is used to apply external bandages that help reduce pain, get rid of seizures, relax and calm the muscles. For him, as for other cereals, the ability to improve the condition of the walls of blood vessels is characteristic. With rheumatism, dermatological diseases, vegetovascular dystonia, you can make herbal baths. In addition, from the plant make a decoction, which helps with diseases of the bladder and kidneys, including cystitis.

Use for decorative purposes

The genus Lysohvost includes more than 70 plant species that are distributed around the world, except tropical zones. On the territory of our country there are 18 representatives, one of them is used in landscape design for arrangement of green and flat lawns.

The meadow foxtail is also used in single plantings. To form decorative hummocks choose variegated forms. The most common cultivar is Aureovariegatus (or Aureus). It differs erect, and by the autumn a little drooping leaves of a golden hue with bright green stripes. In culture it is stable, non-aggressive, reaches 30 cm in height, flowerpots - 50-100 cm. Regardless of whether you cut or leave spikelet, the bush will turn green in the shade, and remain yellowish in the sun.

Care and use

Experts recommend a half-shade for the plant, and the open sun only under the condition of regular and sufficient moistening, as the foxtail meadow, the photo of which you can see in the article, does not like heat and drought. For good growth and appearance it is necessary to provide him with the right soil. It is best if it is a land rich in humus and with good drainage, preventing moisture stagnation.

When creating favorable conditions, the plant will develop quickly and harmoniously. The main aspect of care is moderate watering as needed. Shelter for the winter in the middle lane is not required, but in the case of very frosty and little snowy winters, it is best to cover the bushes with foliage or cover with pine needles. In autumn it is necessary to cut off the peduncles and all the foliage under the root, so you will save the plant from banned.

Decorative varieties of foxtail perfectly complement the rockeries, mixborders, gardens in a natural style. The plant looks harmoniously near water bodies, in the form of bright spots on lawns, as well as in the cut for bouquets.