Coix Job’s Tears is both medicinal herb and popular food,
Job’s Tears (Coix Lacryma-jobi) – For an interesting ornamental grass, try starting Cois seeds and enjoy this attractive grass that is known for its seeds. Commonly called Job’s Tears grass, Coix is a perennial grass only in climate zones 9 and 10, and it is grown as an annual in the cooler zones. Ornamental grasses provide their own unique beauty to the landscape and Job’s Tears is no exception with its slender, ribbon-like leaves and spikes of teardrop-like seeds. The plant is well known for the seeds that are natural beads and have been used for centuries to create jewelry and rosaries. Coix grass is native to Asia and is found along roadsides as well as cultivated for the grain that is edible and used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine.
Grow these ornamental grass seeds and experience first hand the beauty and uniqueness of this Coix plant !
USES
The seeds can be pounded into a flour, used in cooking, and the seeds themselves can be eaten out of hand, having a flavor like a peanut. The kernel has a high protein to carbohydrate ratio and as such, is a highly productive grain. The grain is also sometimes fermented into a type of alcoholic beverage. The seeds can be used to make a coffee-like beverage. The seeds are very hard and used in making necklaces and other types of jewelry.
Jobâs tears plants are an ancient cereal grain most often grown as an annual, but may survive as a perennial where frosts do not occur. Jobâs tears ornamental grass makes an interesting border or container specimen that may get 4 to 6 feet tall. These wide arching stems add graceful interest to the garden.
Jobâs tears cultivation is easy and the plants start quickly from seed. In fact, the plant produces strings of seeds that resemble beads. These seeds make excellent natural jewelry and have a hole in the center that wire or jewelry thread passes through easily.
MEDICINAL:
The roots, leaves and seeds are used medicinally. Coix is rich in essential fatty acids and phytonutrients. It also has some antiviral properties. It has been used traditionally to treat kidney and lung diseases, digestive troubles, as well as cancer. It also shows promise in treating diabetes and taxoplasmosis. A lot of research is out there, so I encourage you to do your own before utilizing medicinally.
Jobâs Tears Plants
An ornamental grass, Jobâs tears plants (Coix lacryma-jobi) are hardy in United States Department zone 9 but can be grown as annuals in temperate regions. The wide blades grow upright and arch at the ends. They produce spikes of grain at the end of the warm season, which swell and become the âpearlsâ of seed. In warm climates, the plant has a tendency to become a nuisance weed and will self-sow prolifically. Cut off the seed heads as soon as they form if you do not wish for the plant to spread.
Jobâs Tears Seed
The seeds of Jobâs tears are said to represent the tears shed by the biblical Job during the challenges he faced. Jobâs tears seeds are small and pea-like. They begin as grayish green orbs and then ripen to a rich tan brown or dark mocha color.
Seeds that are harvested for jewelry must be taken when green and then set out in a dry location to dry fully. Once dry they change color to an ivory or pearly hue. Ream out the center hole in Jobâs tears seed prior to inserting a wire or jewelry line.
Jobâs tears ornamental grass will self-sow and germinate readily when planted in moist loam. It is possible to save the seeds for an early spring sowing. Remove the seed in fall and dry them. Store them in a cool, dry location and then plant in early spring when all chance of frost has passed.
Jobâs Tears Cultivation
Jobâs tears plants reseed themselves annually. In areas where the grass is grown as a grain, the seeds are sown in the rainy season. The plant prefers moist soils and will pop up where ample water is available, but needs a drier season as the grain heads form.
Hoe around young seedlings to remove competitive weeds. Jobâs tears ornamental grass does not need fertilizer but responds well to a mulch of organic material.
Harvest the grass in 4 to 5 months, and thresh and dry the seeds for culinary use. Dried Jobâs tears seeds are ground and milled into flour for use in breads and cereals.
Jobâs Tears Ornamental Grass
Jobâs tears plants provide excellent texture foliage. The flowers are inconspicuous but the strands of seeds increase the ornamental interest. Use them in a mixed container for height and dimension. The rustle of the foliage enhances the soothing sound of a backyard garden and their tenacity will reward you with years of rich, green foliage and charming necklaces of pearly seeds.
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