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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Megacarpaea delavayi is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
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 moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Edible cooked[105, 266]. The part of the plant is not specified but is likely to be the root[K].

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

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeeds outdoors in most of this country. It is a very ornamental plant[129] that is enormously variable in leaf, flower and fruit shape[266]. The flowers are normally hermaphrodite but are sometimes monoecious or reduced[200]. The plant is occasionally cultivated as a vegetable in China[266]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a light well-drained soil in a sunny position[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame if this is possible. Otherwise sow it in early spring in a cold frame. Prick the seedlings out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Root cuttings may succeed[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Gansu Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng)

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible
Megacarpaea gigantea	Perennial	1.8	-	LM	N	M	3
Megacarpaea megalocarpa	Perennial	0.3	6-9	LM	N	DM	3
Megacarpaea polyandra	Perennial	1.8	6-9	LM	N	M	2

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.

Megacarpaea delavayi - Franch.