Chamaedaphne calyculata
| Chamaedaphne calyculata | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-6.5 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Chamaedaphne calyculata (common name: leather leaf)
Propagation: Seed - sow February in a lime-free compost in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed[1]. Do not allow the compost to dry out and keep the pot in a shady position. Germination is usually fair, taking 1 - 12 months at 15°c, though 4 weeks cold stratification may reduce this time[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[2].
Cuttings of almost ripe side-shoots, 4 - 5cm long with a heel, August in a frame. A variable degree of success[1]. It can help to prune the plants lightly after flowering in order to encourage vigorous growth from which to take the cuttings[1].
Layering in August. Takes 18 months. High percentage[1].
Cultivation: Thrives in a moist well-drained lime-free soil in sun or semi-shade[3][4]. Best if given some protection from the midday sun[3].
Plants are hardy to about -25°c[5].
There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value. 'Nana' is a dwarf compact form that is good for shady areas[6].
The flowers have a delicate refreshing scent[7].
Range: Europe, Asia, N. America.
Habitat: Peaty swales, bogs, pine barrens, pond margins etc[8].
Edibility: An aromatic tea-like beverage is brewed from the fresh or dried leaves[9][10][6][11]. Some reports say that boiling or steeping can extract a harmful toxin 'andromedotoxin' and it is recommended that the leaves are put in a jar of water and left in a sunny position to brew in order to make 'sun-tea'[6].
Medicinal: A poultice of the leaves has been applied to inflammations[11].
An infusion of the leaves has been used to treat fevers[11].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: A toxin, called 'andromedotoxin' can be released from the plant if it is infused in boiling water[6]. See notes below regarding use of the plant for tea.
Also Known As: Andromeda calyculata.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.