Practical
Plants

Delphinium brunonianum

a perennial member of the Delphinium genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.45 m
Spread
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.

All parts of the plant are toxic[13][2]. The plant is most toxic when it is young[6].

Material uses

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

A parasiticide is obtained from the leaves[10][12]. It is quite toxic and so is for external use only. In the Himalayas it is only used to destroy ticks on animals[10][7][9]. The seed contains 30% of an oil that has industrial uses[14]. The seed is very small, however, and it would require a large area of plants to obtain reasonable yields.

Product or use
Oil
Product or use
Parasiticide

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas.
Habitat
Stony slopes and screes in drier areas, to elevations of 5500 metres[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
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 March/April in a cold frame or May outdoors[1]. Keep moist and in a shady position until germination takes place[3]. The seed has a limited viability so it should be stored in a sealed container at about 3°c[6]. Temperatures above 15°c inhibit germination[3]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 9 weeks at 15°c[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Cuttings of basal shoots in April/May, taken before they become hollow at the base, and planted in a cold frame[1]. Division in spring[1] or early autumn[6].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a rich well-drained soil that stays moist in the summer[1][4]. Dislikes water-logged soils[6], it is liable to die out in heavy soils over winter[1]. Requires an open sunny position[5]. Plants are generally hardy to about -20°c[4], though they are best given a protective mulch of bracken or some similar material during the winter[8]. The flowers emit a powerful, musk-like scent until they begin to fade[8]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[11]. Grows well in the rock garden[5]. This species is closely related to C. cashmerianum[3].

References

  1. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  2. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩

  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  9. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩

  10. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  14. Zhang Jingwei. Alpine Plants of China. Gordon & Breach. New York. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-677-60190-5

    ↩

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