Encelia farinosa
| Encelia farinosa | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Encelia farinosa (common name: brittle bush)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed and pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle[1]. Grow on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter, making sure the pots are deep enough to accommodate the tap root, and plant out in early summer.
Cuttings, in pure sand, in a frame[1]. The report does not specify the type of cutting.
Cultivation: Requires a very warm sunny position in a deep very well-drained soil[1][2]. Plants strongly resent wet conditions, especially in the winter[1].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[1]. Another report says that the plants will tolerate temperatures down to -12°c if they are in quite dry conditions[2]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K].
Plants have a taproot and resent root disturbance[1]. They should be planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small, though they will then need protection from the cold for their first winter or so[K].
Range: South-western N. America - California to Utah and Arizona.
Habitat: Dry stony slopes to 1000 metres[3].
Edibility: A gum that exudes from the ends of mature stems is used for chewing[4][5][6]. It is aromatic[7].
Medicinal: A decoction of the blossoms, leaves and stems has been held in the mouth to alleviate a toothache[8]. A poultice of the plant has been used to alleviate pain[8].
Usage: A resin that exudes from the ends of mature stems is used as a glue and as an incense in the home and in church[4][6][9][7][8]. It has also been used to waterproof containers and has been melted then used as a varnish[8].
The resinous branches have been used to make a quick fire[8].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ Munz, David. A California Flora. University of California Press, 1959.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Pesman, M. Meet Flora Mexicana. Dale S King, 1962.