Plumbago europaea
| Plumbago europaea | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Plumbago europaea (common name: plumbago)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. 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.
Cuttings of basal shoots as new growth emerges in the spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. 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.
Cultivation: Requires a well-drained sandy or gritty soil in full sun[1].
One report says that the plant is not very hardy in Britain and is usually grown in a greenhouse[2].
Range: S. Europe.
Habitat: Dry rocks, hills, maritime sands, roadsides etc[3][4].
Medicinal: The whole plant, but especially the root, is acrid, emetic, odontalgic, sialagogue and vesicant[2][5][4][6]. Chewing the root produces copious salivation and is said to be of benefit in treating toothache[2].
Soil: Can grow in light soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: P. angustifolia.
Links
References
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Heywood, Vernon. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press.