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Comandra umbellata - (L.)Nutt.

Common Name Bastard Toad Flax, California bastard toadflax, Pale bastard toadflax
Family Santalaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry to moist sandy well-drained soils, especially those that are acid, from sea level to the sub-alpine zone[43, 60].
Range Eastern N. America - Michigan to Alabama.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Comandra umbellata Bastard Toad Flax, California bastard toadflax, Pale bastard toadflax


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Comandra umbellata Bastard Toad Flax, California bastard toadflax, Pale bastard toadflax
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Comandra umbellata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from April to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Nectar
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw[60, 105]. A sweet flavour[61]. The flowers are sucked by children for their sweet nectar[257].

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.
Pectoral  Salve

An infusion of the leaves has been used to treat lung pains and laboured breathing caused by a cold or other illness[257]. The juice of the plant has been applied externally to treat cuts and sores[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

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. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a well-drained moisture retentive lime-free soil[200]. A parasitic plant obtaining at least some of its nutrients from the roots of other plants[200, 235]. It is said to parasitize over 200 different species of plants in the wild[274].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - stratify for 3 months at 5°c and then sow in the greenhouse in a pot with a suitable host. Plant out when it is well established close to a mature host plant[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba), United States (Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Arkansas)

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
Comandra pallidaPale Bastard ToadflaxPerennial0.4 -  LMHNM112
Comandra richardsianaBastard Toad FlaxPerennial0.3 -  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.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Nutt.

Botanical References

4360

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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