Practical
Plants

Morina longifolia

Whorlflower

a perennial evergreen member of the Morina genus in the family Morinaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Morina
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Moths, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Moths, Self

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

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

The stem, leaves and flowers are used in Tibetan medicine, they are said to have a sweet and astringent taste with a heating potency[11]. They are digestive, emetic and stomachic, and are used in the treatment of stomach disorders such as indigestion giving rise to vomiting and nausea[11].

Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

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

The plant is used as an incense[3][10][12]. The roots yield 0.34% essential oil[10].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Incense

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas - Kashmir to Bhutan.
Habitat
Open slopes and alpine shrubberies, 3000 - 4000 metres[13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
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 - best sown as soon as it is ripe in individual pots to minimize disturbance to the tap root. Overwinter in a well ventilated cold frame[7]. Sow stored seed in early spring in a cold frame[2]. Plant out into their permanent positions in the summer when the plants are at least 15cm tall. Division in spring is possible but very difficult. Divided plants are often extremely slow to re-establish[7]. It is best carried out immediately after the plant flowers[6]. Root cuttings in individual pots in November. Plants are quick to produce foliage but slow to form roots. They are best left in pots for 12 months before planting out[4].

Cultivation

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

Requires a fertile, humus-rich, moisture retentive but well-drained sandy or gritty soil in a sunny position[1][2][7]. It grows best with a little shade and shelter from high winds[1]. Prefers a slightly acid soil[4]. A very ornamental plant[1], the leaves are spicily aromatic[5]. A fairly easy plant to grow, though it tends to be short-lived[5]. It is hardy to about -17°c when growing in a perfectly drained soil[5][7]. It grows best in the western side of Britain, sometimes succumbing to cold in the south-east of the country[9]. Requires protection from slugs[K]. The flowers open in the evening and are pollinated by moths. If pollination does not take place by morning then the top of the pistil curves over and effects self-pollination[8]. Resents root disturbance[7].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991-00-00

    ↩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

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Coventry. B. O. Wild Flowers of Kashmir Raithby, Lawrence and Co. 1923-00-00

    ↩

  9. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  10. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  11. Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India 1994-00-00 ISBN 81-900489-0-2

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

Edit this page