Delphinium cashmerianum
| Delphinium cashmerianum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Delphinium cashmerianum
Propagation: Seed - sow March/April in a cold frame or May outdoors[1]. Keep moist and in a shady position until germination takes place[2]. The seed has a limited viability so it should be stored in a sealed container at about 3°c[3]. Temperatures above 15°c inhibit germination[2]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 9 weeks at 15°c[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
Cuttings of basal shoots in April/May, taken before they become hollow at the base, and planted in a cold frame[1].
Division in spring[1] or early autumn[3].
Cultivation: Prefers a rich well-drained soil that stays moist in the summer[1][4]. Dislikes water-logged soils[3], it is liable to die out in heavy soils over winter[1]. Requires an open sunny position[5].
Plants are generally hardy to about -20°c[4].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[6].
Grows well in the rock garden[5].
This species is closely related to C. brunonianum[3].
Range: E. Asia - Western Himalayas in Kashmir and Tibet.
Habitat: Alpine areas from 3000 to 4800 metres[7].
Medicinal: One report says that the roots are used medicinally, but gives no further details[7].
Usage: The following uses are for the closely related D. brunonianum. They probably also apply for this species:-
A parasiticide is obtained from the leaves[8][9]. It is quite toxic and so is for external use only. In the Himalayas it is only used to destroy ticks on animals[8][7].
The seed contains 30% of an oil that has industrial uses[10]. The seed is very small, however, and it would require a large area of plants to obtain reasonable yields.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Late Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant are toxic[11][12]. The plant is most toxic when it is young[3].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bird, Alfred. Focus on Plants Volume 5. Thompson and Morgan, 1991.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 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.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Polunin, Oleg and Adam Stainton. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press, 1984.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Jingwei, Zhang and Ching-Wei Chang. Alpine Plants of China. Horizon Books, 1982.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
- ↑ Schofield, Janice. Discovering Wild Plants.