Cardamine violacea

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Cardamine violacea
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Self Pollinated
Height:1'
Open Woods Forest
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Cardamine violacea

Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 weeks at 15°c[1]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame for the first two years, planting them out when dormant in late summer.

Division in early spring or after the plant dies down in the summer. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. However, judging by its native range, it is likely to succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.

Succeeds in most soils so long as they are not dry[2]. Prefers a moist humus rich soil in shade or semi-shade[3].

Range: E. Asia - Himalayas from India to Bhutan and Nepal.

Habitat: Moist places in forested areas at elevations of 2500 - 3600 metres in Nepal[4].

Edibility: Tender young shoots and leaves - cooked as a vegetable[4].

Pollinators: Bees, flies, lepidoptera

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Links

References

  1. Bird, Alfred. Focus on Plants Volume 5. Thompson and Morgan, 1991.
  2. Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  3. Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.