Romulea bulbocodium
| Romulea bulbocodium | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 0.5' |
| Width: | 0.2' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Romulea bulbocodium
Propagation: Seed - sow the seed in 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.
Division in late summer when the plants are dormant[1].
Cultivation: Requires a well-drained very sandy soil in full sun[2][1]. Easily grown in a bulb frame but plants are not very long-lived outdoors in Britain[2].
Plants are fairly hardy, tolerating short periods of temperatures down to about -10°c, or perhaps a bit lower[1].
Plants need to be kept dry in the summer when they are dormant[2][1].
Very variable in flower colour and size[2].
Individual flowers are short-lived, lasting about 3 days and only opening from midday to early evening[1]. Flowers can be of 2 sizes, the smaller ones being pollen-sterile[2].
Range: S. Europe - Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, to N. Africa.
Habitat: Sandy and rocky places near the sea, also in scrub to 1000 metres[2].
Edibility: Root. It is said to be eaten by shepherds[3], but no more details are given.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References