Cimicifuga simplex
| Cimicifuga simplex | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 5' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Cimicifuga simplex
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1]. Only just cover the seed. It germinates in 1 - 12 months or even longer at 15°c[2]. The seed does not store well and soon loses its viability[3], stored seed may germinate better if given 6 - 8 weeks warm stratification at 15°c and then 8 weeks cold stratification[2]. Prick out the young seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer[K].
Division in spring or autumn[1]. 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 summer or following spring.
Cultivation: Prefers a moist humus rich soil and some shade[1][3]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1]. Grows well in the dappled shade of woodland[4].
Plants are hardy to at least -25°c[5].
A number of named varieties have been selected for their ornamental value[5].
A good bee and butterfly plant[4]. The flowers have an unusual, slightly unpleasant smell[6].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[7].
Range: E. Asia - Japan, Dahurica.
Habitat: Mountain meadows and alpine regions all over Japan[8]. Forest margins, scrub, grassy slopes and open lands at elevations of 300 - 3200 metres[9].
Edibility: Leaves - cooked[10][11][12]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
The fragrant root is used as a spice[12].
Pollinators: Bees. lepidoptera
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall-Late Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it does belong to a family that contains a number of toxic species and at least one species in this genus is said to be mildly poisonous. Some caution is therefore advised.
Also Known As: C. foetida intermedia.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 RHS. The Garden Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society, 1987.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.