Practical
Plants

Lavatera trimestris

an annual member of the Lavatera genus in the family Malvaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Malvaceae
Life cycle
annual
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.75 m
Spread
0.45 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

Young leaves - cooked[2].

Plant part
Leaves

Material uses

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

The seed contains up to 11.7% oil. It is greenish coloured with an iodine value of 120.9[5]. The uses of this oil are not given, it is exceedingly unlikely to be poisonous and is therefore probably edible[K].

Product or use
Oil

Environment

Range
Europe - Mediterranean.
Habitat
Sandy areas, mainly by the sea.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
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

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

Seed - sow in situ in the spring[4]. Germination should take place within a few weeks.

Cultivation

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

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil[1]. Prefers a light well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[4]. A soil that is too rich encourages foliar growth at the expense of flowering[4]. Tolerates maritime exposure[4]. Succeeds in dry soils. Plants are moderately fast-growing[3]. A very ornamental plant[1]. The cut flowers last a long time in water[4]. A good bee plant[5].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

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

    ↩

  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

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

    ↩1↩2

Edit this page