Gypsophila licentiana
| Gypsophila licentiana | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Gypsophila licentiana
Propagation: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and, if growth is sufficient, plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. If the plants are too small to plant out, grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and then plant them out in late spring or early summer.
Division in spring or autumn. 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 spring.
Basal cuttings before the plant flowers. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Root cuttings.
Cultivation: Requires a well-drained soil in full sun[1]. Lime tolerant, it grows well in a dryish soil[2].
Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[1].
Closely related to and often confused with C. autifolia, a species growing in the Caucasus[3].
This species is cultivated for the saponins contained in the thick root[4].
Range: E. Asia - China.
Habitat: Dry sandy places and stony slopes[1]. Mountain slopes, sands and field margins at elevations of 500 - 2000 metres[3].
Edibility: A vegetable[5]. No more details are given, we do not know what part of the plant is used.
Usage: The root is a good source of saponins[4]. Saponins can be used as a soap substitute. They lather well in water and make a gentle and effective cleaner.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The root is rich in saponins[4]. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by heat so a long slow baking can destroy them. Saponins are found in many p
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.