Adenophora liliifolia
| Adenophora liliifolia | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Adenophora liliifolia (common name: ladybells)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[1]. The seed can also be sown in spring. Surface sow 2 - 3 seeds per pot in the spring in order to avoid transplanting[2]. We have found that if transplanted when very small seedlings grow away without difficulty[K]. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 10°c[2]. Plant out into their permanent positions whilst young.
Basal cuttings in spring[K].
Division in spring - very difficult because the plant dislikes root disturbance[3]..
Cultivation: Prefers a light rich slightly alkaline soil that is not too dry, and a warm sunny position[3][1].
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance and should be planted out into their permanent positions when young[3].
This species has been cultivated for its edible root in Japan[4][5].
The flowers have a sweet but refreshing perfume[6]. This is the only member of the genus with scented flowers[6].
The young growth is extremely attractive to slugs, they have been known to destroy even mature plants[K].
Range: C. Europe to Siberia
Habitat: Woods and damp fields[7].
Edibility: Root - cooked. Thick and esculent[8][9][10], it has a sweet flavour[11]. Eaten boiled and in soups etc[4][12].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: A communis. A. fischeri.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press, 1980.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.