Peltaria turkmena
a perennial evergreen member of the Peltaria genus in the family Brassicaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Genus
- Peltaria
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 0.5 m
- Spread
- 0.3 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves - raw or cooked[K]. A strong flavour, somewhat like a cross between garlic and mustard, the leaves make a reasonable flavouring for salads[K]. The leaves are available for most of the year, even in a severe winter they remain green and lush[K]. At this time they add an especially welcome spiciness to salads[K]. They can become rather bitter in the summer, though, especially if the plants are in a dry sunny position[K]. When flowering in early summer, the plants lose their leaves for a month or two - cutting down the flowering stems at this time will induce new fresh green growth[K]. Flowers - raw. A similar flavour to the leaves, with very little bitterness, they make a very tasty addition to summer salads[K].
- Plant part
- Leaves
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plants can be used as a ground cover, somewhat slow spreading but they are effective in excluding weeds[K].
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- W. Asia.
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[1]. The seed germinates rapidly, prick the seedlings out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer[K]. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, it can be done at almost any time of the year so long as the soil is kept moist. Divisions in the winter should be potted up in a greenhouse to allow themselves to establish, they can then be planted out in late spring.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a light fertile moist soil in sun or light shade[1], though it is not too fussy[K]. A very easily grown plant that tolerates considerable neglect[K].
References
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5