Arthropodium cirrhatum
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Asphodelaceae
- Genus
- Arthropodium
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 1 m
- Spread
- 0.3 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
- Plant part
- Root
Environment
- Range
- New Zealand
- Habitat
- Rocky cliffs near the sea, often in colonies, on North and South Islands north of latitude 42° 30´s[5]
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - sow late winter in a cold greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.
Cultivation
Prefers a well-drained sandy peaty loam in a warm, sheltered sunny position[3]. Grows best in a rich leafy soil[4]. Plants are not very cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c[4]. They can succeed outdoors in the milder areas of Britain, but they are best grown in a cold greenhouse in this country[3]. A polymorphic species[3]. This plant was possibly formerly cultivated for its edible root by the Maoris, the root grows larger under cultivation[1].
References
Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5
Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00