Practical
Plants

Scorzonera acanthoclada

Teke-Saghyz

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Material uses

The root contains a high concentration of a good quality latex that can be used for making rubber[1]. The latex is extracted by maceration of the root.

Product or use
Latex

Environment

Range
E. Europe - Ural Mountains.
Habitat
Dry habitats in the Ural Mountains at an altitude of 2200 - 3900 metres, in areas where winter temperatures are around freezing and the summers are dry with temperatures around 20°c[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in the greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle into relatively deep pots to accommodate the tap root. If growth is good, plant out in early summer, other wise grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring of the following year. Division in autumn or as growth commences in the spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer. Root cuttings in the autumn.

Cultivation

Succeeds in any soil in sun or light shade[3]. Plants are probably adaptable to the British climate[2]. Plants usually regenerate from the root after they have been harvested[1].

References

  1. Polhamus. L. G. Rubber: Botany, Cultivation and Utilization.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading 1986-00-00 ISBN 0704909820

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

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