Practical
Plants

Megacarpaea polyandra

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.8 m
Spread
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

The plant is eaten as a vegetable[4]. The young shoots and leaves are eaten cooked[1][9][2][7][8]. The root is used as a condiment[1][3][4].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas from Kashmir to C. Nepal.
Habitat
Alpine meadows and open forests, 3000 - 4300 metres[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
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[6].

Cultivation

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

Requires a well-drained but deep rich soil that is dry in the summer and a position in full sun[5][6]. Hardy to about -20°c[5]. The flowers are normally hermaphrodite but are sometimes monoecious or reduced[6]. Plants take many years to flower from seed and are possibly monocarpic[5].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  8. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩

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

    ↩

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