Symplocarpus renifolius
| Symplocarpus renifolius | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Late Winter-Mid Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Symplocarpus renifolius
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1]. The seed should be stored in water if it is not sown immediately[2]. Stored seed can be sown in late winter or early spring. Stand the pot in 2cm of water to keep the compost wet. Germination should take place in the spring, prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in wet soil in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring once they are large enough.
Division with great care whilst the plant is dormant[1].
Cultivation: We have very little 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 many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in sun or shade in a deep moist to wet lime-free soil that is rich in organic matter[1]. Grows well in a bog garden or along the wet banks of streams and ponds[3][2].
All parts of the pant, but especially the flowers, have a strong unpleasant aroma[4][5]. The plant can raise the temperature of its inflorescence by 15 - 35°c above the ambient air temperature, thus protecting itself from frost and helping to attract pollinating insects[1][2].
Range: E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat: Wet places in N. Japan.
Edibility: Young leaves - cooked[6].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, the following notes for S. foetidus probably also apply here. The plant is poisonous[7]. This report probably refers to the presence of calcium oxylate in all parts of the plant. This subst
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Stary, Frantisek. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn, 1983.