Stilbocarpa polaris
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Araliaceae
- Genus
- Stilbocarpa
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1.8 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
Root - cooked[1]. The long roots are saccharine and have been used by ship-wrecked sailors as sustenance for lengthened periods[3][2]. Leaf stems - cooked. A celery flavour[2]. Leaves - cooked[2]. They taste like wet blotting paper[2].
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Root
- Plant part
- Stem
Environment
- Range
- New Zealand.
- Habitat
- Grows in the sub-Antarctic islands south of New Zealand[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in late winter in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter, planting out in late spring or early summer. Division can be tried in spring.
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. One report says that it is possibly worthy of cultivation as an edible plant in cold countries[2]. The plant is likely to be very wind tolerant, probably of maritime exposure, but we do not know what other cultivation requirements it might have.
References
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00