Practical
Plants

Cardiocrinum cordatum

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Liliaceae
Height
1.8 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

An edible starch is obtained from the bulb[8][10][1]. Young leaves - cooked. This use will considerably weaken the plant and is not to be recommended in normal situations[8][10].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat
Conifer, oak and bamboo woods in mountains in cool moist situations, especially in N. Japan[9][11].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in the autumn. The plant has delayed epigeal germination and will often germinate in the spring but can take up to 2 years especially if the seed is stored prior to being sown[2]. An alternative is to mix the seed with some moist leafmould and seal it in a plastic bag. Keep this at a temperature of 20°c for 3 weeks then pot up any seed that germinates and place the rest in a fridge for 4 - 5 weeks at 3 - 5°c before sowing in a warm place[3]. Seedlings should be grown on in pots in a shaded position in a cold frame or greenhouse for 3 - 4 years before planting them out in their permanent positions[3]. Bulblets are obtained from the base of the old plant after flowering. Pot up and plant out when well established.

Cultivation

Prefers a moist well-drained position in shade and a soil that is rich in leafmould[9][4]. Requires a deep, very fertile humus-laden soil[5]. Prefers growing in woodland conditions[7][4]. The dormant plant is in general hardy to about -10°c but it comes into growth very early in the year, sometimes in February, and the young growth is susceptible to frost damage[11][4]. A monocarpic plant, the bulb takes about 7 years to reach flowering size but then dies after flowering. However, it produces a number of new bulblets at the base and can be propagated by these[9][4]. These bulblets take 3 - 5 years to flower[4]. The flowers are sweetly scented[6]. When planting, only just cover the bulb with leafmould[9]. The bulb is very attractive to slugs, mice and voles and may require protection[4]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[5].

References

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

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  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

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  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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

    ↩1↩2

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

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

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

    ↩1↩2

  9. Fox. D. Growing Lilies. Croom Helm 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

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  11. Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30253-1

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