Gynandriris sisyrinchium
| Gynandriris sisyrinchium | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 6.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 0.3' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Gynandriris sisyrinchium (common name: spanish nut)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[1]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the 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.
Division.
Cultivation: Easily grown in a stiff limey soil in full sun[2]. Tolerates some shade[3]. Plants need plenty of moisture whilst in growth in winter and spring, but need a dry soil when they die down in the summer[4].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[5], and in general does not do well in this country[1]. It requires a summer baking to ripen the roots and ensure good flowering in the following year[5]. It should be planted about 10 - 15cm deep[3]. It is probably best grown in a bulb frame[K].
The flowers usually open in the afternoon and are faded by the morning[6].
Range: Europe - Mediterranean.
Habitat: Dry places near the coast[7] and up to 2,000 metres[6].
Edibility: The root is edible raw or cooked and is also used as a spice[8][9][10]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Soil: Can grow in medium and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: Possibly poisonous[11].
Also Known As: Iris sisyrinchium.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Grey, Charles. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate, 1938.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Innes, Clive. The World of Iridaceae. Holly Gate, 1985.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Bulbs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.