Chaerophyllum tuberosum
Sham
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Umbelliferae
- Genus
- Chaerophyllum
- Life cycle
- biennial
- Fertility
- self fertile
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
- Plant part
- Root
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Himalayas.
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - these notes are based on C. bulbosum, they might not apply to this species. Best sown in the autumn in situ[6]. The seed has a very short viability[1] or, according to another report, the seed becomes dormant if allowed to dry out and will not germinate for a year[2]. If stored for a spring sowing it should be kept in damp sand in a cold but frost-free place and then sown in situ in March[1]. Another alternative is to sow the seed in the autumn in a seed tray in a cold frame and then to sow the seed, soil and all, in early April in situ[2].
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. An easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any soil[1], though it prefers a moist soil[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8
Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber 1960-00-00