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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Pachyphragma macrophylla is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from March to April. 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 soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Thlaspi macrophyllum

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

It would be worthwhile trying out the leaves of this species for edibility. They are almost certainly not poisonous[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

An excellent weed-smothering ground cover plant for shady areas[200]. The plants have persistent basal rosettes but only achieve full ground cover from mid or late spring until early winter each year[200].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a leafy soil and a damp shady position[187, 200]. Another report says that it succeeds in dry soils and, once established, tolerates drought[190]. Succeeds in heavy clays[200]. Very shade tolerant[200]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[188]. Possibly hardy to about -15°c[187, 200]. Plants have persistent basal rosettes[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow autumn in a greenhouse[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[200]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Basal cuttings in late spring[200]. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

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

(Hoffm.)N.Busch.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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

Readers comment


Denis Dujardin	Wed Jul 28 12:34:46 2004

I know Pachyfragma macrophyllum for a long time. As a landscape architect I use it frequently. I gave a lecture few years ago for the Hardy Plant society which is published in their Magazine. I have tasted the leaves and they have an excellent taste. I had no problems afterwards. I presume it is not poisonous at all. I recently made a quite extended edible garden in Flanders, where every plant can be eaten. I was wondering whether you have any chemical references about the plant.

thanks beforehand,

Denis Dujardin Flanders (Belgium)

Pachyphragma macrophylla - (Hoffm.)N.Busch.