Uses
Edible uses
Notes
Tubers - raw or cooked
[1][2][3][4][5]. Quite a pleasant mild flavour and easily digested
[6], but fairly small and fiddly[K], they are about 5 - 8cm long and 2cm wide
[7][8]. A nutty artichoke-like flavour
[9], it can be eaten raw on its own, be added to salads or be lightly cooked[K]. The tubers quickly discolour when exposed to the air
[7] and are said to lose their flavour if they are peeled
[9]. It is best to harvest them as required
[8]. Yields are about 1kg per square metre
[7].
Leaves - cooked. A famine food, they are only used when all else fails
[10].
Material uses
There are no material uses listed for Stachys affinis.
The dried and powdered root is anodyne
[11].
The entire plant has been used in the treatment of colds and pneumonia
[12].
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If sufficient growth has been made, it is possible to plant them out during the summer, otherwise grow them on in pots for their first summer, leaving the tubers in the pots to overwinter in a cold frame and then plant out in late spring when in active growth. Seed is rarely if ever produced on plants growing in Britain.
Division. The tubers can be harvest and replanted at any time whilst they are dormant. They do start into growth fairly early in the year so it is better to have moved them by the end of March[K].
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Stachys affinis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Prefers a well-drained soil in a sunny position
[4]. Thrives in an ordinary garden soil
[1], preferring one that is not too heavy
[4][5]. It grows best in a soil that has been well fed and does not dry out in the growing season
[4]. Plants seem to withstand even water-logged conditions in the winter
[8].
The Chinese artichoke is occasionally cultivated for its edible tubers, they are planted out in March and harvested from October onwards[1][13][14]. Although top growth is killed back by frost, the tubers are very hardy and can be left in the ground over winter to be harvested as required[7]. It is virtually impossible to find all the tubers, there are always some left behind that will grow the following season[K]. Plants are very tolerant of high summer temperatures[8].
The tubers begin to sprout at temperatures above about 5°c[8]. Plants take 5 - 7 months to develop their tubers[8].
Plants rarely flower in Britain
[1].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Stachys affinis. 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 Stachys affinis.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Stachys affinis
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Uses
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
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.
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"image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
References
-
? 1.01.11.21.31.4 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
-
? 2.02.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
-
? 3.03.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
-
? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-050-0 (1977-00-00)
-
? 5.05.15.2 Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber (1960-00-00)
-
? 6.06.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
-
? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
-
? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.6 Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray ISBN 0-7195-4781-4 (1991-00-00)
-
? 9.09.19.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
-
? 10.010.1 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
-
? 11.011.1 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
-
? 12.012.112.2 [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)
-
? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)
-
? Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
"image:Stachys sieboldii0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.