Coix lacryma-jobi
(Bead's Seeds, Job's Tears, Juno's Tears)
Origin: Native of tropical Asia
Family: Poaceae
Light: Full sun
Height: 4-6'
Spacing: 9"
Blooms: Green
Foliage: Green, smooth jointed stems
Seeds: Pearly white, gray or black
Soil: Wet, marshy, boggy
Water: High
Uses: Ornamental, dried floral arrangement, ornamental bead jeweleries
Propagation: Seeds
Comments: Coix lacryma-jobi or Bead's Seeds or Job's Tears or Juno's Tears is an ornamental grassy plant with a loose, sprawling, clumping growth habit. It is a native of tropical Asia, commonly found growing along roadsides in marshy areas. In late Summer, Coix lacryma-jobi produces green female and male flower spikelets on smooth jointed stems. Bead's Seeds is easily propagated from seeds. It thrives best in wetlands in a sunny location. It is pollinated by wind. Job's Tears is low maintenance. Mass plant in the bog garden for an exquisite display. Bead's Seeds can also be container cultivated. It has many uses. It is a food source for the peasants in the Far East.. Florists are delighted with the dried sprays of Juno's Tears for foral arrangement. Make sure to cut the spray stems before the seeds become dry so they do not break easily. The dried shiny gray seeds of Coix lacryma-jobi seeds are used to make popular bead jeweleries like necklaces, anklets and bracelets. Rosaries and prayer beads are also made from these seeds. What a wonderful grass Juno's Tears is.
USDA Zones: 9-10