Practical
Plants

Megacarpaea delavayi

a perennial member of the Megacarpaea genus in the family Brassicaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Edible cooked[1][4]. The part of the plant is not specified but is likely to be the root[K].

Plant part
Root

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China in Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang and Yunnan Provinces.
Habitat
Swampy meadows, steep grassy slopes and open thickets at elevations from 3400 - 4800 metres[2][4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
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 - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame if this is possible. Otherwise sow it in early spring in a cold frame. Prick the seedlings out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Root cuttings may succeed[3].

Cultivation

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

We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeeds outdoors in most of this country. It is a very ornamental plant[2] that is enormously variable in leaf, flower and fruit shape[4]. The flowers are normally hermaphrodite but are sometimes monoecious or reduced[3]. The plant is occasionally cultivated as a vegetable in China[4]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a light well-drained soil in a sunny position[3].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. ? Alpine Garden Society Bulletin. Volume 56. Alpine Garden Society

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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