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Nardostachys grandiflora - DC.

Common Name Spikenard
Family Valerianaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rocks, ledges and open slopes, 3600 - 4800 metres[51].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas from Uttar Pradesh to S.W. China.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Nardostachys grandiflora Spikenard


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nardostachys_grandiflora.jpg
Nardostachys grandiflora Spikenard

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Nardostachys grandiflora is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
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 soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

N. jatamansii. DC.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

Used as a condiment[177]. No more details are given.

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.
Antispasmodic  Carminative  Deobstruent  Deodorant  Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Epilepsy  Laxative  
Nervine  Sedative  Stimulant  Stomachic

The root is antispasmodic, carminative, deobstruent, deodorant, diuretic, emmenagogue, laxative, nervine, sedative, stimulant and stomachic[46, 61, 178, 218]. It is an excellent substitute for valerian, Valeriana officinalis, and is taken internally in the treatment of epilepsy, hysteria and convulsive affections, nervous indigestion, insomnia, depression and tension headaches[51, 238, 240]. Externally, it is used as a deodorant and to treat rashes[238]. A paste of the root is used externally to treat haemorrhoids[272]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]. Use this remedy with caution, overdoses are toxic[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

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Other Uses

Deodorant  Essential  Hair  Incense

An essential oil is obtained from the root and young stems. It is harvested before the leaves unfurl[123]. It is used in perfumery[238] and as a hair tonic where it is said to make the hair grow faster and also to turn it black[46, 51, 61]. The dried leaves are used as an incense[272].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any moderately fertile moisture-retentive soil in full sun or light shade, especially from the midday sun[200, 238]. Dislikes growing in rich soils[238]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238]. The hairy portion of the stem, just above the roots, has a strong aroma somewhat like patchouli[245]. The fresh root is fragrant, but the scent becomes more pronounced as the root dries[245]. This plant is the spikenard of the Ancients, it was once very popular as a perfume[1].

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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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 - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[238]. The seed requires light for germination[238]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Gansu Sheng (southeast), Qinghai Sheng (south), Sichuan Sheng (west), Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng (north)) TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India (Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh), Nepal

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

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

DC.

Botanical References

51200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Jeffrtey Wesoloski   Sat Jun 16 2007

HOW CAN A BUY SOME SEED OR A PLANT

Narda   Sun Mar 2 2008

HOW CAN i BUY SOME SEED OR A PLANT?

vibha aggarwal   Wed Dec 2 2009

how can i got the seeds of Nordostachys gradiflora

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