Megacarpaea gigantea
a perennial member of the Megacarpaea genus in the family Brassicaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Genus
- Megacarpaea
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1.8 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - cooked. Rich in starch, it is delicious cooked[2]. The root contains enormous quantities of nutritious substances[2].
- Plant part
- Root
Environment
- Range
- C. Asia.
- Habitat
- Grassy but not stony mountain slopes[2].
- 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[1].
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. The flowers are normally hermaphrodite but are sometimes monoecious or reduced[1]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a light well-drained soil in a sunny position[1].
References
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00