Parthenium argentatum
| Parthenium argentatum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 3' |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Parthenium argentatum (common name: guayule)
Propagation: Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. Only just cover the seed. 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.
Cultivation: Requires a very well-drained soil in full sun[1]. Prefers a sandy soil but cultivated plants succeed on most soils except clay[2]. Established plants are very drought resistant[2].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, plants dislike winter temperatures falling below -10°c and suffer damage below -15°c[3]. In particular, they dislike fluctuating winter temperatures and excessive winter wet[2]. Plants grow well but give a poor yield of latex when growing in areas of higher rainfall[2]. (This refers to the very low levels of rain the plant experiences in its native habitat). More rubber is produced if the plant is prevented from flowering[2]. British summers are possibly not warm enough for this plant to thrive[2].
Range: South-western N. America - Mexico to Texas.
Habitat: Limestone ridges and highly calcareous soils[2] in arid and semi-arid habitats[1].
Usage: A source of rubber obtained by mechanical maceration of the roots and/or stems.[4][2][5]. Yields of up to 240 kilos per hectare per year are possible (harvested when plants are 5 years old)[2].
Pollinators: Insects, wind, apomixy
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Polhamus, Loren. Rubber: Botany, Cultivation and Utilization.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.