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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Crambe kotschyana is a PERENNIAL growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 2.5 m (8ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. cordifolia kotschyana. (Boiss.)O.E.Schulz.

Plant Habitats

Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root
Edible Uses:

Leaves - cooked[51]. Used as a vegetable[266]. Root - cooked[51, 145]. Used as a vegetable[266]. Nutritious[74].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Antipruritic

Antipruritic[145].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, 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]. Plants can be grown in the summer meadow if the grass is not cut too low (since this would damage the growing point)[200]. A good bee plant[74]. Very closely related to C. cordifolia[200] and considered by some botanists to be no more than a variety of that species, differing mainly in its larger flowers[1].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, China (Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu, Xizang Zizhiqu) TROPICAL ASIA: India (Himachal Pradesh), Pakistan

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	Medicinal	Other
Crambe abyssinica	Abyssinian Kale, Crambe	Annual	1.0	10-12	LMH	SN	M	1	0	4
Crambe cordifolia	Flowering sea kale	Perennial	2.0	5-9	LMH	SN	DM	3	1	3
Crambe maritima	Sea Kale	Perennial	0.6	4-8	LMH	SN	DM	4	0	3
Crambe orientalis		Perennial	1.2	6-9	LMH	SN	M	3	0
Crambe tatarica	Tartar Bread Plant	Perennial	1.0	4-8	LMH	SN	M	3	0	2
Theligonum cynocrambe	Dog's Cabbage	Annual	0.1	-	LMH	SN	DM	1	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.

Crambe kotschyana - Boiss.