Practical
Plants

Lavatera cachemiriana

Lavatera

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Malvaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
2.4 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked. A mild flavour, but they are tough and not very worthwhile[K]. When cooked they have a somewhat slimy consistency[K]. Flowers - raw. Rather bland, but an attractive garnish to a salad[K].

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.

Demulcent, pectoral, purgative[8].

Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Purgative

Material uses

A strong fibre is obtained from the stems, it is used for making string, bags, paper etc[9].

Product or use
Fibre

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas from Pakistan to Uttar Pradesh.
Habitat
Humus rich soils[2] in meadows and forest clearings, 1800 - 3600 metres[7]. Wet meadows or sunny slopesat elevations of 540 - 2200 metresin Tibet[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[5]. Germination is usually quick and good. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer[K]. Basal cuttings in spring. Cuttings of softwood in June/July[4].

Cultivation

Avery easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in sun or partial shade[1][3]. Prefers a light well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[5]. A soil that is too rich encourages foliar growth at the expense of flowering[5]. Tolerates maritime exposure[5]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[3]. This species is considered by some botanists to be no more than a minor variant of L. thuringiaca[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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

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

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  9. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

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