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Crambe orientalis - L.

Common Name
Family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Fields, hills, dry slopes, rocky places and clay soils[74].
Range Europe - E. Mediterranean to W. Asia - Iran.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Crambe orientalis


Crambe orientalis

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Crambe orientalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1.2 m (4ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Stem
Edible Uses: Condiment

Leaves - cooked. Immature flowering stems - raw or cooked and used like broccoli[2, 74, 105, 183]. Root - cooked. It is very thick and can be used as a horseradish substitute[2, 105, 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

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown species, succeeding in a good loam and an open sunny position[1]. Prefers a slightly alkaline soil in a position sheltered from strong winds[200]. Tolerates poor soil and some shade[200]. Dislikes acid soils[1]. Prefers a rather dry soil[187]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187]. A deep-rooted plant[233], it dislikes root disturbance[164].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow March/April in a seedbed outdoors and either thin the plants out or move them to their permanent positions when about 10cm tall[111]. The young plants are very attractive to slugs so some protection will often be needed. Germination can be slow so it is best to sow the seed in pots in a cold frame[164]. Germination usually takes place in 3 - 26 weeks at 15°c[164]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions when they are at least 10cm tall. Division in spring or autumn[1, 111]. Dig up the root clump and cut off as many sections as you require, making sure they all have at least one growing point. The larger of these divisions can be planted out straight into their permanent positions, though small ones are best potted up and grown on in a cold frame until they are established. Root cuttings, 3 - 10 cm long, in spring[104]. These can be planted straight into the open ground or you can pot them up in the greenhouse and plant them out once they are growing strongly.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan (northwest), Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Turkmenistan

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
Crambe abyssinicaAbyssinian Kale, CrambeAnnual1.0 10-12  LMHSNM104
Crambe cordifoliaFlowering sea kalePerennial2.0 5-9  LMHSNDM313
Crambe kotschyana Perennial2.5 6-9  LMHSNDM21 
Crambe maritimaSea KalePerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNDM403
Crambe tataricaTartar Bread PlantPerennial1.0 4-8  LMHSNM302
Theligonum cynocrambeDog's CabbageAnnual0.1 -  LMHSNDM11 

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.

Botanical References

74200

Links / References

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Subject : Crambe orientalis  
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