Lavatera arborea
| Lavatera arborea | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 0 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Life Cycle: | Biennial |
| Height: | 10' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Lavatera arborea (common name: tree mallow)
Propagation: Seed - sow late summer in situ[1]. The seed should germinate within 4 weeks.
Cultivation: An easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in sun or partial shade[2][3]. Prefers a light well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[1]. A soil that is too rich encourages foliar growth at the expense of flowering[1]. Tolerates maritime exposure[1].
Plants are very fast-growing and often flower in their first year from seed[1]. They flower so freely in their second year that they normally die afterwards, though they sometimes perennate[1]. When well sited, this species usually self-sows freely[1].
There are some named forms developed for their ornamental value[1].
Range: Coastal regions of Europe, including Britain, from Franceto the Mediterranean and N. Africa.
Habitat: Maritime rocks or waste ground by the sea, to 150 metres[4].
Edibility: Young leaves - raw or cooked. A mild flavour, but the leaves are dry and hairy and not that agreeable in quantity on their own[K]. They can be used as part of a chopped mixed salad[K].
Medicinal: A poultice made from the leaves is used to treat sprains[5].
Pollinators: Insects
Habit: Biennial
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.