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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Ixeris polycephala is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). 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. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Lactuca polycephala. (Cass.)Benth.

Plant Habitats

Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves and young stems - cooked[105, 177].

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.
Febrifuge Parasiticide

The juice of the plant is used in the treatment of fevers[272]. A paste made from the flower heads is applied to the skin in the treatment of scabies[272].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Parasiticide

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 this country, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of the country. We suggest growing it in a sunny position and a moist or wet soil.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame in spring and only just covering the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, China, Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku) TROPICAL ASIA: India (Sikkim, Assam, West Bengal), Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam

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	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible
Ixeris chinensis		Perennial	0.0	-	LMH	SN	M	1
Ixeris dentata		Perennial	0.5	-	LMH	SN	M	2
Ixeris japonica		Perennial	0.2	-	LMH	SN	M	1
Ixeris lanceolata		Perennial	0.2	-	LMH	SN	M	2
Ixeris repens		Perennial	0.0	-	LMH	SN	M	1
Ixeris sonchfolia		Perennial	0.0	-	LMH	SN	M	1
Ixeris stolonifera	Creeping lettuce	Perennial	0.2	0-0	LMH	SN	M	1

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.

Ixeris polycephala - Cass.