Practical
Plants

Alstroemeria ligtu

Alstroemeria

a perennial member of the Alstroemeria genus in the family Amaryllidaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Some people are sensitive to this plant and skin contact with the sap can cause them to get dermatitis[16].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Root - cooked[2]. The roots are a source of a palatable starch[10][15][7]. It is very nutritious and is given to children and invalids[5].

Plant part
Root

Environment

Range
S. America - Chile
Habitat
Dry scrub in rocky sandy soils[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in individual pots in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe although seedlings can be transplanted successfully if they are moved with care whilst small. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hrs in warm water, warm stratify for 4 weeks at 25°c and then reduce the temperature to 10°c. Excising a small bit of the seed near the embryo after the seed has been warm stratified helps to speed up the germination process[6]. Plant out about 20cm deep into their permanent positions in late summer or autumn[11]. Division in April or October with care since the plant resents root disturbance[4]. Ensure each portion has a growth bud[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a fertile, moisture retentive well-drained soil and a warm situation in sun or semi-shade[11]. Prefers a dry sheltered border and a peaty loam[1]. Established plants are drought tolerant according to one report[9], whilst another says that the soil should not be allowed to dry out in the growing season[14]. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[12]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to between -5 to -10°c[11]. Young plants are best given a protective mulch for their first winter or two[12]. The lily-like flowers have a sweet fragrance of mignonette[13]. They are one of the longest-lasting of cut flowers for the home and so are commonly grown for this purpose[13]. The edible roots are sold in local markets in Chile[15]. The roots should be planted 15 - 20cm deep when dormant in late summer to autumn and then be well mulched to protect them from severe winter weather. Plants can be rather invasive, spreading by means of underground fleshy roots to form large patches[8]. Somewhat intolerant of root disturbance[1], the roots are fleshy and brittle[11].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

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  4. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

    ↩

  5. ? Flora of Chile. (in Spanish)

    ↩

  6. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩

  7. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  8. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  9. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩

  10. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  12. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

  13. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  14. Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00

    ↩

  15. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  16. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

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