Incarvillea sinensis
an annual or perennial member of the Incarvillea genus in the family Bignoniaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Bignoniaceae
- Genus
- Incarvillea
- Life cycle
- annual, perennial
- Height
- 0.85 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.
One report suggests that the plant might be slightly toxic[2].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves and young shoots - cooked. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[2]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
- Plant part
- Leaves
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant is used to treat skin ailments, spongy gums and ulcers[6].
- Product or use
- Skin
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - N. China, Manchuria.
- Habitat
- Sandy and rocky places, embankments and old walls from 400 - 2100 metres, often in wind-swept sites[5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, drought
- Wind
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow autumn or spring in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and plant out into their permanent positions in spring after the last expected frosts. Division with care in early spring or autumn.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Easily grown in a deep well-drained sandy but rich soil in full sun[1][4]. Plants grow better if they are given some shade around midday[4]. Dislikes dry summer soils and winter wet[4]. One report says that this species should be grown in a greenhouse[1] whilst another says that it is hardy to about -15°, tolerating lower temperatures if the roots are well mulched, preferably with dry bracken[4]. The crown of the plant requires protection from slugs in the winter[3]. A very ornamental plant, it usually takes about 1 - 2 years to come into flower from seed[1]. A variable species[5], some forms are perennial whilst others are annual[1]. I. sinensis sinensis is an annual whilst I. sinensis variabilis (Batal.)Grierson is a perennial[4]. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance, it is best to place them in their permanent positions whilst small[4]. The plants will often sulk for several years if they are divided[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/