Romulea bulbocodium
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
Root. It is said to be eaten by shepherds[1], but no more details are given.
- Plant part
- Root
Environment
- Range
- S. Europe - Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, to N. Africa.
- Habitat
- Sandy and rocky places near the sea, also in scrub to 1000 metres[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - sow the seed in spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in late summer when the plants are dormant[2].
Cultivation
Requires a well-drained very sandy soil in full sun[3][2]. Easily grown in a bulb frame but plants are not very long-lived outdoors in Britain[3]. Plants are fairly hardy, tolerating short periods of temperatures down to about -10°c, or perhaps a bit lower[2]. Plants need to be kept dry in the summer when they are dormant[3][2]. Very variable in flower colour and size[3]. Individual flowers are short-lived, lasting about 3 days and only opening from midday to early evening[2]. Flowers can be of 2 sizes, the smaller ones being pollen-sterile[3].
References
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30253-1