Pachyphragma macrophylla
a perennial evergreen member of the Pachyphragma genus in the family Brassicaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Genus
- Pachyphragma
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 0.3 m
- Spread
- 1 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
It would be worthwhile trying out the leaves of this species for edibility. They are almost certainly not poisonous[K].
- Plant part
- Leaves
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An excellent weed-smothering ground cover plant for shady areas[4]. The plants have persistent basal rosettes but only achieve full ground cover from mid or late spring until early winter each year[4].
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- W. Asia - N.E. Turkey to W. Caucasus. Naturalized in Britain.
- Habitat
- Wet beech forests to elevations of 1900 metres in Turkey[1]
- Light
- partial sun
- Shade tolerance
- permanent shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow autumn in a greenhouse[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[4]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Basal cuttings in late spring[4]. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a leafy soil and a damp shady position[1][4]. Another report says that it succeeds in dry soils and, once established, tolerates drought[3]. Succeeds in heavy clays[4]. Very shade tolerant[4]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[2]. Possibly hardy to about -15°c[1][4]. Plants have persistent basal rosettes[4].
References
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5