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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Paronychia capitata is an evergreen Perennial.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
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 dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Ground Cover; Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Tea

An infusion of the flowers is used as a tea[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.
Aphrodisiac Diuretic TB

An infusion of the leaves is aphrodisiac and diuretic[200]. It is also used in the treatment of TB[200].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Especially useful as a ground cover plant with bulbs, covering the soil after the bulbs have flowered[200, 208]. The plants form a low carpet, rooting as they spread, and they should be spaced about 30cm apart each way[208].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a sunny position succeeding in hot dry soils and tolerating drought once established[190]. Requires a warm open position in full sun, in a sharply drained sandy or gritty soil. If the soil is too rich the plants leaves will not be so silvery[200]. Plants can be grown in a wall[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c, perhaps more if in a perfectly drained soil[200]. This report is a little confusing since the same article says that the plant succeeds in climatic zone 5 and should therefore be hardy in almost all of Britain[K]. This species is closely related to P. argentea but is less tolerant of winter cold and wet conditions[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 in spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

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
Paronychia argentea	Algerian Tea	Perennial	0.1	6-9		LM	N	DM	1	1	3
Paronychia jamesii	Nailwort, James' nailwort	Perennial	0.0	0-0		LM	N	DM	1	0

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.

Paronychia capitata - (L.)Lam.