Practical
Plants

Lychnis fulgens

a perennial member of the Lychnis genus in the family Caryophyllaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Lychnis
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

Young plant - cooked[2].

Plant part
Leaves

Material uses

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

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the root of several members of this genus contains saponins, a soap substitute used for washing clothes, hair etc[K]. It is extracted by boiling the roots in water[3]. Do not overboil the roots because this will break down the saponins[K].

Product or use
Soap

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Siberia.
Habitat
Meadows and shrub thickets[6]. Woodlands on low hills, wet shady scrub meadows[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in spring or early autumn though this requires more seed. Division in spring or autumn[4]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivation

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

An easily grown plant, succeeding in a good garden soil and a warm sheltered position[1].

References

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

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

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  3. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

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

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

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

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