Herbs Guide

Bearded Darnel

Family Name: Poaceae

Botanical Name(s): Lolium temulentum

Popular Name(s): Cheat, Tare

Parts Used: Seeds

Habitat: Bearded Darnel is a common grass weed in English cornfields.

Description: Bearded darnel is an annual plant with a stiff, round, hollow stalk growing to a height of 1 to 3 feet. The plant bears long, linear, flat leaves. Its flowers grow in a terminal spike consisting of 5- to 7-flowered spikelets. Its seed are small, ovate and yellow-brown to orange-brown in colour.

Uses: Bearded darnel possesses sedative and anodyne properties. It is used to cure insomnia, blood congestion, skin problems and stomach disorders.