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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Oxyria digyna is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Rheum digynum.

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 46, 62, 85, 257]. A pleasing acid taste[183] and an excellent potherb[1]. A very nice addition to salads[K]. The leaves can be fermented into a sauerkraut for winter use[183]. Use in moderation, see notes at top of sheet,

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Antiscorbutic Astringent Dysentery Vitamin C

The leaves are rich in vitamin C and are used to treat scurvy[212]. The roots, stems and leaves are cooked and eaten in the treatment of dysentery[272].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist well-drained rocky soil in a sunny position or partial shade[200]. Requires a lime free soil[200]. There is some controversy here since the plant is said to avoid acid soils in the wild[K]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. The seed germinates within 2 weeks. It can also be sown as soon as it is ripe, when it germinates within a few days. Prick the seedlings out into individual pots as soon as they are ripe and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in the spring. 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China, Eastern Siberia, Far East, Iran, Japan, Jilin Sheng, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liaoning Sheng, Mongolia, Qinghai Sheng, Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia, Russian Federation-Far East, Russian Federation-Western Siberia, Shaanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Syria, Tajikistan, Western Siberia, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng,Afghanistan. TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Québec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, British Columbia, Greenland, United States, Alaska, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, EUROPE: Finland, United Kingdom (U.K.), Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation-European part, European part (Arctic), Latvia, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Serbia, France,

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.

Oxyria digyna - (L.)Hill.