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Cicer microphyllum - Benth.

Common Name
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry slopes at 3300 - 4800 metres[51]. Hill slopes or river banks at elevations of 1600 - 4600 metres in Tibet[266].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas from Afghanistan to Tibet and western Nepal.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Cicer microphyllum


Cicer microphyllum

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Cicer microphyllum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 6in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. jacquemontii. C. soongaricum. Steph.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Seed - raw or cooked[61, 177, 183]. Young shoots - pickled or used as a potherb[177, 183]. A vinegar can be made from the acid dew that forms on the leaves overnight[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

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 many parts of this country. It grows in dry soils in the wild[51] and is likely to require a sunny position and a very well-drained soil in this country[K]. This species is cultivated in the Himalayas[51]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in the greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cicer arietinumChick PeaAnnual0.6 -  LMNDM41 
Cicerbita alpinaBlue Sow ThistlePerennial1.0 4-8  LMSM21 
Lathyrus ciceraChickling Vetch, Red peaAnnual0.0 0-0  LMHNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Benth.

Botanical References

51266

Links / References

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Subject : Cicer microphyllum  
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