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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Root - cooked. Steeped and boiled[1]. Said to be extremely nutritious. It is easiest to use when the plant is in flower because the outer layer of the root (which is very bitter) slips off easily at this time of the year[2]. The root has a good taste though a decided bitter flavour develops afterwards[3][4].

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Lewisia brachycalyx.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Lewisia brachycalyx.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in a very freely draining soil[5]. Sow stored seed as soon as possible in a cold frame. One months cold stratification should improve germination, though this is still likely to be very slow. 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 two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in March/April. Very difficult.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Lewisia brachycalyx. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a very well-drained gritty humus-rich deep soil in a sunny position[6][7]. Prefers a neutral to acid soil[8].

This species is not reliably hardy in Britain[6]. It can withstand consistently very cold weather but does not like alternating periods of mild and cold conditions, nor does it like winter wet[6]. The plant is very susceptible to rotting at the neck in a damp soil[7]. Plants die down after flowering and start growing again in the autumn[8].

Very apt to hybridize with other members of this genus[6].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Lewisia brachycalyx. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Lewisia brachycalyx.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Lewisia brachycalyx
Genus
Lewisia
Family
Portulacaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type











    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press ISBN 0-8623-0343-9 (1967-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    5. ? ? Alpine Garden Society Bulletin. Volume 56. Alpine Garden Society ()
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press (1959-00-00)