Practical
Plants

Alstroemeria versicolor

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 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[12].

Edible uses

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

Root - cooked[11]. A source of starch, it is very nutritious[7][10][2][6].

Plant part
Root

Environment

Range
S. America - Chile.
Habitat
Stony places and scrub at an altitude of 250 - 1700 metres from Valparaiso to Conception and in the Valle de los Cipreses[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

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[5]. Plant out about 20cm deep into their permanent positions in late summer or autumn[8]. 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[8]. Prefers a dry sheltered border and a peaty loam[1]. This species prefers a dry period in the summer and autumn. A rather tender plant, it is unlikely to succeed outdoors in Britain other than in the mildest areas of the country[1]. Plants tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c[9]. 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. Somewhat intolerant of root disturbance[1], the roots are fleshy and brittle[8].

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  11. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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

    ↩

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