Atraphaxis spinosa
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Atraphaxis genus in the family Polygonaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Polygonaceae
- Genus
- Atraphaxis
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Spread
- 1.2 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant is a source of a yellowish-white manna-like substance that is eaten as a food or used in making sweetmeats[2].
- Plant part
- Sap
- Product or use
- Manna
Environment
- Range
- S.E. Europe to W. Asia.
- Habitat
- Grassy plains in semi-desert or very dry soils[3]. Slopes, deserts (including the Gobi), roadsides, margins of cultivated land at elevations of 400--1800 metres in northern China[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy
- 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 - sow spring in a greenhouse[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Seedlings are prone to damp off so should be watered with care and kept well ventilated[3]. Cuttings of soft wood in early summer in a frame[3]. Layering in spring[3].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a sunny position in a light well-drained soil of low to moderate fertility[1][3]. Succeeds in the rock garden or on a sunny stony bank[3]. Plants are hardy to at least -10°c so long as the soil is not wet over the winter[3]. The tiny flowers have long lasting petals[1]. This species is closely related to A. frutescens[3]. Any pruning should be restricted to the removal of branch tips every second or third year during the spring in order to maintain a neat compact habit[3]. Established specimens resent root disturbance[3].
References
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/