Lepidium apetalum
| Lepidium apetalum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Lepidium apetalum
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination should take place within 3 weeks.
Cultivation: We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in most soils.
Range: Europe to E. Asia - China and Korea.
Habitat: Steppes, solonetzic soils, roadsides and weed-infested places[1]. Roadsides, slopes, waste places, ravines, plains and fields at elevations of 400 - 4800 metres in China[2].
Edibility: Young leaves - raw or cooked[3][4]. A hot cress-like flavour.
Medicinal: The seed is antiasthmatic, antitussive, diuretic and purgative[5][6]. The seed is also cardiotonic[5][6]. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of asthma, coughs, nausea, oedema and pleurisy[5][6].
The root is decocted with other herbs and used as an expectorant[6].
The plant contains antibacterial substances[6].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Late Spring-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: L. micranthum. Lebour.
Links
References
- ↑ Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.