Xanthium commune
| Xanthium commune | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 5' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Xanthium commune
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in situ. The seed requires plenty of moisture in order to germinate.
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 is likely to succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but requires a sunny position.
Plants often self sow.
Range: Eastern N. America - southwards from Quebec and Saskatchewan.
Habitat: Low ground, stream banks, waste places, cultivated land etc[1].
Edibility: Seed[2]. It is dried, then ground into a powder and mixed with cereal flours when making bread, biscuits etc[2]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Monoecious
Known Hazards: Poisonous[3][4]. Most members of this genus are toxic to grazing animals and are usually avoided by them[5]. The seed also contains toxins[5].
Links
References
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.