Teucrium polium
| Teucrium polium | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 6.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Teucrium polium
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they are large enough. Otherwise, grow them on in a cold frame for the winter and plant them out in the following spring.
Division in early spring[2]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in any moderately good well-drained soil in full sun[3]. Plants require a very well-drained soil[4]. Requires an alkaline soil[3].
A very variable species with a number of distinct sub-species.
The bruised foliage releases a pleasant aromatic scent[5].
Plants are sub-shrubs, retaining a woody base but the stems often dying back in the winter[3].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].
Range: Europe - Mediterranean to W. Asia.
Habitat: A variable species with a number of sub-species growing in a variety of habitats from sandy places near the sea to mountain ranges.
Edibility: The plant is mixed with boiled water and sugar to form a refreshing beverage[6].
The plant is used as a spice[6].
Medicinal: A liquid extract of the plant has been used in the treatment of fungal diseases and abscesses[7].
Pollinators: Bees, self
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.