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Datisca cannabina - L.

Common Name Acalbir, Akalbir
Family Datiscaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Banks of streams in rich alluvial soils[50, 200].
Range S. Europe (Crete), to W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Datisca cannabina Acalbir, Akalbir


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez
Datisca cannabina Acalbir, Akalbir
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Datisca cannabina is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower in September, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

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.
Bitter  Diuretic  Febrifuge  Odontalgic  Purgative  Sedative

The leaves and flowering stems are bitter, diuretic, febrifuge and purgative[145, 240]. The root is used as a sedative in the treatment of rheumatism[240]. It is also applied to carious teeth[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves, root and stems[46, 61, 145].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a good deep soil and a sunny position[1, 200]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[233]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. Give the roots protection from winter frosts by mulching them[200]. At one time this plant was commonly cultivated as a dye plant[46, 61], but with the advent of chemical dyes it has fallen into disuse. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

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 - sow spring in a greenhouse, only just covering the seed. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 weeks at 18°c[164]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in the spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Cyprus, Iran (north), Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan TROPICAL ASIA: India (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh), Nepal, Pakistan (north) EUROPE: Greece (Kríti)

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
Octomeles sumatranaIlimo TreeTree50.0 10-12 FMHNM224

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

L.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

   Wed Oct 22 2008

is it growing in vidarbha region?

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