Daphne mezereum 'Mezereon'
Thymelaeaceae: a rare native deciduous Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1.5 m (5ft). The leaves are soft and are arranged spirally on the stems. The flowers are produced in early spring on the bare stems before the leaves appear, they have a four-lobed pink or light purple (rarely white), and are strongly scented. The fruit is a bright red berry are very poisonous for people, though fruit-eating birds like thrushes are immune and eat them, dispersing the seeds in their droppings. Native of damp deciduous mixed woodlands and on rich calcareous soils, most of Europe, including Britain, from Scandinavia to Spain, east to Macedonia and temperate Asia.
Mezereum has been used in the past for treating rheumatism and indolent ulcers, but because of its toxic nature it is no longer considered to be safe. The plant contains various toxic compounds, including daphnetoxin and mezerein, and these are currently being investigated (1995) for their anti-leukaemia effects. The bark is cathartic, diuretic, emetic, rubefacient, stimulant and vesicant. The root bark is the most active medically, but the stem bark is also used. It has been used in an ointment to induce discharge in indolent ulcers and also has a beneficial effect upon rheumatic joints. The bark is not usually taken internally and even when used externally this should be done with extreme caution and not applied if the skin is broken. The bark is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The fruits have sometimes been used as a purgative. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of various skin complaints and inflammations.
Seeds are best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe with the pot sealed in a polythene bag to hold in the moisture. Remove this bag as soon as germination takes place. The seed usually germinates better if it is harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it dries on the plant) and sown immediately. Germination should normally take place by spring, though it sometimes takes a further year. Stored seed is more problematic. It should be warm stratified for 8 - 12 weeks at 20°c followed by 12 - 14 weeks at 3°c. Germination may still take another 12 months or more at 15°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow the plants on in the greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.
Harvest 2014.
Approx. 10+ £2.50
Datura stramonium W&B BG H-1 ‘Thorn Apple’
[Ex. Dimchevo, Bulgaria]
Thymelaeaceae: a rare native deciduous Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1.5 m (5ft). The leaves are soft and are arranged spirally on the stems. The flowers are produced in early spring on the bare stems before the leaves appear, they have a four-lobed pink or light purple (rarely white), and are strongly scented. The fruit is a bright red berry are very poisonous for people, though fruit-eating birds like thrushes are immune and eat them, dispersing the seeds in their droppings. Native of damp deciduous mixed woodlands and on rich calcareous soils, most of Europe, including Britain, from Scandinavia to Spain, east to Macedonia and temperate Asia.
Mezereum has been used in the past for treating rheumatism and indolent ulcers, but because of its toxic nature it is no longer considered to be safe. The plant contains various toxic compounds, including daphnetoxin and mezerein, and these are currently being investigated (1995) for their anti-leukaemia effects. The bark is cathartic, diuretic, emetic, rubefacient, stimulant and vesicant. The root bark is the most active medically, but the stem bark is also used. It has been used in an ointment to induce discharge in indolent ulcers and also has a beneficial effect upon rheumatic joints. The bark is not usually taken internally and even when used externally this should be done with extreme caution and not applied if the skin is broken. The bark is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The fruits have sometimes been used as a purgative. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of various skin complaints and inflammations.
Seeds are best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe with the pot sealed in a polythene bag to hold in the moisture. Remove this bag as soon as germination takes place. The seed usually germinates better if it is harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it dries on the plant) and sown immediately. Germination should normally take place by spring, though it sometimes takes a further year. Stored seed is more problematic. It should be warm stratified for 8 - 12 weeks at 20°c followed by 12 - 14 weeks at 3°c. Germination may still take another 12 months or more at 15°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow the plants on in the greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.
Harvest 2014.
Approx. 10+ £2.50
Datura stramonium W&B BG H-1 ‘Thorn Apple’
[Ex. Dimchevo, Bulgaria]
Solanaceae: distinctive, pungent smelling annual to 60cm. grows on cultivated and disturbed soils. The whole plant is poisonous. The flowers are about 7-10cm across, white, fragrant trumpet shaped with 5 lobes, blooming from June-October, flowers open at dusk. The capsules can be up to 5cm long, and are armed with very sharp spines. Widely naturalised in Britain but its occurrence is unpredictable and annual success is weather dependent, growing best in warm summers. Original habitat is obscure, as it is found in many areas of the world.
The thornapple is a bitter narcotic plant that relieves pain and encourages healing, it has a long history of use as an herbal medicine, though it is very poisonous and should be used with extreme caution. The leaves, flowering tops and seeds are anodyne, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, hallucinogenic, hypnotic, mydriatic and narcotic, the seeds are the most active medicinally. The plant is used internally in the treatment of asthma and Parkinson's disease, but excess can cause giddiness, dry mouth, hallucinations and coma. Externally, it is used as a poultice or wash in the treatment of fistulas, abscesses wounds and severe neuralgia.
Sow the seed in individual pots in early spring in a greenhouse, put 3 or 4 seeds in each pot and thin if necessary to the best plant.
The seed usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 15°c. GA3 will help. Easy.
Seeds originally collected Cemetery, Dimchevo, Bulgaria. Seeds collected from plants grown at the Kykeon Plants Nursery August 2014.
Approx. 50+ seeds £1.50
Daucus carota ‘WILD CARROT’
[Ex. Hertfordshire]
[Ex. Hertfordshire]
Apiaceae: upright or spreading hairy perennial to 75cm, with solid, ridged stems. Found in rough grassland, mostly on chalky soils or near the sea. White flowers, in long-stalked umbels to 7cm across, blooming from June-September. Widespread and locally common, except in north.
The root can be cooked, but they are very thin and stringy. The flower clusters can be french-fried to produce a carrot-flavoured gourmet's delight. The aromatic seed can also be used as a flavouring in stews.
The wild carrot is an aromatic herb that acts as a diuretic, soothes the digestive tract and stimulates the uterus. Said to be a wonderfully cleansing medicine, which supports the liver, stimulates the flow of urine and the removal of waste by the kidneys. The whole plant is anthelmintic, carminative, deobstruent, diuretic, galactogogue, ophthalmic, stimulant. An infusion is used in the treatment of various complaints including digestive disorders, kidney and bladder diseases and in the treatment of dropsy. An infusion of the leaves has been used to counter cystitis and kidney stone formation, and to diminish stones that have already formed. Carrot leaves contain significant amounts of porphyrins, which stimulate the pituitary gland and lead to the release of increased levels of sex hormones. The plant is harvested in July and dried for later use.
Sow seeds between August/September and April in situ. The seed germinates better if it is given a period of cold stratification. Easy.
Seed collected from plants grown at the Kykeon Plants Nursery, August 2014. [Seeds originally collected from wild plants found in Hertfordshire 2013]
Approx. 1000+ seeds £1.25
Daucus carota
Digitalis purpurea ‘FOXGLOVE’
[Ex. Suffolk]
[Ex. Suffolk]
Scrophulariaceae: hardy biennial growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in), Purple flowers are borne in tall spikes from June to September, and the seeds ripen from Aug to October, found growing manly on acid soils in woods, heaths, mountain grasslands, native range are Western Europe, including Britain, from Norway to Spain and Sardinia.
Foxgloves contain cardioactive glycosides, which vary from species to species, and according to weather and site, in pharmaceutical terms, ‘digitalis’ refers to the powered leaf of Digitalis purpurea; it is used in the form of tablets or capsules for certain conditions, Digitalin is a standardized mixture of glycosides from Digitalis purpurea, formerly used as a solution for injection. Parts used are the leaves, these are very bitter, diuretic and are used to strengthen heart contractions.
Surface sow seeds early spring in a cold frame or greenhouse, seeds usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 20°c, when they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer, if you have sufficient seed it can be sown outdoors in situ in the spring or autumn.
Seeds were collected from wild plants growing in and around Suffolk summer 2013
WARNING ALL DIGITALIS SPECIES ARE TOXIC IF EATEN!
Seeds Available: £1.25
Digitalis purpurea
Diplotaxis tenuifolia
'Perennial Wall Rocket'
'Perennial Wall Rocket'
Currently Unavailable
Dipsacus fullonum ‘WILD TEASEL’
[Ex. Berkshire]
Dipsacaceae: Thistle like biennial to 2m, angled stems, with sharp prickles, flowers are pinkish purple, in egg-shaped spiky heads, 6-8cm long, blooming on tall stems from July-August. The papery dry seeds are a popular titbit with Goldfinches. The leaves at the base of long-stalked and forming a rosette. Found on damp and disturbed grassland on heavy soil, widespread and common in the south, but scarce or even absent from the rest of the UK.
The hooked bracts of the fullers’ teasel are used in the woollen industry to raise the nap on newly woven cloth. I think it is still cultivated for this purpose in Somerset.
Teasel is little used in modern herbalism, and its therapeutic effects are disputed, traditionally it has been used to treat conditions such as warts, fistulae (abnormal passages opening through the skin) and cancerous sores. The root is diaphoretic, diuretic and stomachic, an infusion is said to strengthen the stomach, create an appetite, remove obstructions of the liver and treat jaundice, and the root is harvested in early autumn and dried for later use. An infusion of the leaves has been used as a wash to treat acne. The plant has a folk history of use in the treatment of cancer, an ointment made from the roots is used to treat warts, wens and whitlows. It is used in homeopathic as a remedy for skin diseases.
Not universally liked by gardeners, because they seed so freely they can spread, even into lawns. They are best planted in a corner where they can be contained. Cut back and remove plants which may cause trouble before the seed matures. Being biennial the plants only live a few years and will fade away if they are denied a chance to seed.
Seeds are best sown in early spring in situ, the seed can also be sown from February to May or from August to October, easy.
Seeds were originally collected from wild plants from a Berkshire roadside, harvested from plants grown at the Kykeon Plants Nursery, summer 2014.
Approx. 200+ seeds £1.25
The hooked bracts of the fullers’ teasel are used in the woollen industry to raise the nap on newly woven cloth. I think it is still cultivated for this purpose in Somerset.
Teasel is little used in modern herbalism, and its therapeutic effects are disputed, traditionally it has been used to treat conditions such as warts, fistulae (abnormal passages opening through the skin) and cancerous sores. The root is diaphoretic, diuretic and stomachic, an infusion is said to strengthen the stomach, create an appetite, remove obstructions of the liver and treat jaundice, and the root is harvested in early autumn and dried for later use. An infusion of the leaves has been used as a wash to treat acne. The plant has a folk history of use in the treatment of cancer, an ointment made from the roots is used to treat warts, wens and whitlows. It is used in homeopathic as a remedy for skin diseases.
Not universally liked by gardeners, because they seed so freely they can spread, even into lawns. They are best planted in a corner where they can be contained. Cut back and remove plants which may cause trouble before the seed matures. Being biennial the plants only live a few years and will fade away if they are denied a chance to seed.
Seeds are best sown in early spring in situ, the seed can also be sown from February to May or from August to October, easy.
Seeds were originally collected from wild plants from a Berkshire roadside, harvested from plants grown at the Kykeon Plants Nursery, summer 2014.
Approx. 200+ seeds £1.25
Dipsacus fullonum
Doronicum pardalianches
'Great Leopard's Bane'
Doronicum pardalianches
Dryas octopetala 'Mountain Avens'
'Great Leopard's Bane'
Currently Unavailable
Dryas octopetala 'Mountain Avens'
No comments:
Post a Comment