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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].

Leaves

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Stachys affinis.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The dried and powdered root is anodyne[11]. The entire plant has been used in the treatment of colds and pneumonia[12].

Unknown part

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
Genus
Stachys
Family
Labiatae
Imported References
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
light 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

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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.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-050-0 (1977-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber (1960-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    7. ? 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. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.6 Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray ISBN 0-7195-4781-4 (1991-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
    11. ? 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. ? 12.012.112.2 [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)
    13. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)
    14. ? 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.