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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Phlomis tuberosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is 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), 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 dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked[2, 105, 177, 183]. Rich in starch[74] but with a somewhat bitter flavour[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

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold winds[200]. Hardy to at least -15°c[200], if the top growth is killed back by the cold the plants will usually regrow. Another report says that it is hardy to about -25°c but is totally deciduous in the winter[187].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. The seed germinates quickly, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on for their first year in a greenhouse. Plant them out in early summer. Division of the tubers in spring or autumn[200]. Be careful not to damage the tubers[200]. If dividing in the autumn, it is best to store the tubers in a cool but frost-free place over the winter, planting them out in the spring. Spring divisions can be planted out straight away into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Iran (north), Turkey (north & east), Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russian Federation-Far East (Far East), China (Heilongjiang Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu) EUROPE: Czechoslovakia, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania

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 Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Phlomis fruticosa	Jerusalem Sage, Shrubby Jerusalem sage	Shrub	1.3	4-7	M	LMH	N	DM	0	0	3
Phlomis lychnitis	Lamwick Plant	Shrub	0.5	7-10		LMH	N	DM	1	0
Phlomis russeliana	Jerusalem Sage	Perennial	1.0	5-9	M	LMH	SN	DM	0	0	2
Phlomis samia		Perennial	1.0	6-9		LMH	SN	DM	0	0	2
Phlomis umbrosa		Perennial	1.0	6-9		LMH	N	DM	0	2

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.

Phlomis tuberosa - L.