Famine Relief Herbal (1593): Bromegrass

Woodcut illustration of bromegrass (quemai, bromus) from Jiuhuang bencao (The Famine Relief Herbal), edition of 1593 (21st year of the Wanli reign period of the Ming dynasty, Gui Si year). This herbal was compiled by Prince Zhu Su (?-1425), fifth son of the Ming Taizu Emperor (r. 1368-1398), the founder of the Ming dynasty. It was first engraved for publication in 1525. It contains entries on 414 edible plants, all of them illustrated. The author cultivated most of these plants in his gardens, and lived on the produce. In the text, Zhu Su states: Bromegrass is also called yanmai [oats]. The ears are similar to wheat but very much smaller; each ear is divided into about a dozen smaller ears with tiny kernels of grain. It is sweet in sapor, neutral in thermostatic character, and non-poisonous. In the event of famine, the grain is harvested and pounded to remove the husks and ground into a fine flour, which can either be eaten steamed or used for baking.

Bromegrass (quemai, bromus); the fruit is edible