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Saussurea obvallata - Wall.

Common Name
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Alpine meadows and slopes, rocky slopes and along the sides of rivers and streams.
Range E. Asia - western Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim at elevations of 3,000 - 4,500 metres.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Saussurea obvallata


www.flickr.com/photos/84887006@N00
Saussurea obvallata
www.flickr.com/photos/84887006@N00

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Saussurea obvallata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). 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. 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

Plant Habitats

 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.
Miscellany

The entire plant is used in Tibetan medicine where it is considered to have a bitter taste and a heating potency[241]. It is used in the treatment of paralysis of the limbs and cerebral ischaemia[241].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Miscellany

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. According to the RBG Edinburgh, the correct author of this plant name is (DC.) Edgew. Succeeds in most soils in a sunny well-drained position[1].

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 - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame in the spring. Surface sow, or only just cover the seed, and make sure that the compost does not dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring might be possible.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Sichuan Sheng (west), Qinghai Sheng (east), Yunnan Sheng (northwest), Xizang Zizhiqu (southeast)) TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh), Nepal, Pakistan (north), Myanmar (north)

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
Saussurea affinis Biennial0.6 -  LMHNM11 
Saussurea costusCostusPerennial3.0 6-9  LMHSNM232
Saussurea diamantica Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Saussurea gracilis Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Saussurea graminifolia Perennial0.2 -  LMHSNM02 
Saussurea grandifolia Perennial0.0 -  LMHNM10 
Saussurea lyrata Perennial0.0 -  LMHNM10 
Saussurea maximowiczii Perennial1.5 -  LMHSNM10 
Saussurea parviflora Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Saussurea pulchella Perennial1.5 3-7  LMHSNM10 
Saussurea roylei Perennial0.5 -  LMHSNM02 
Saussurea serrata amurensis Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Saussurea ussuriensis Perennial1.2 -  LMHSNM10 

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

Wall.

Botanical References

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Dr.I.S.Prasad   Fri Jun 16 2006

Where as I had seen the Himalayan "Saussurea obvallata", Popularly known as Brahma Kamal at Hemkunt, I also see another plant with the same name on internet and I am growning it at the kitchen garden in Hyderabad.Does it have similar medicinal properties.Please reply at [email protected]

Padmini Mohan   Wed Sep 27 2006

I thought Krishnakamal (white flower) and Brahmakamal (Violetflower) were two different flowers !!Please enlighten.

Brian C   Thu Aug 9 2007

To Dr. I.S. Prasad, the similar plant you are growing is probably an Epiphyllum oxypetalum, the Night Blooming Cereus. Many people associate the name Brahma Kamal with this flower as well although it is a New World species and presumably only introduced to the Old World in recent history.

sonnet1955   Mon Sep 15 2008

I have Brahma Kamal plant at my home. I have heard it is rear to have to this plant. At my place I have seen so many flowers to this plant. Last month there were twenty eight Brahma Kamal on the plant.Right now I can see about ninety flowers of the plant.Last year it had nine flowers. I like to know why it is having so many flowers? I also like to see the picture of the Brahma Kamal.It blooms at night and it dose not see morning sun. Is this same flower you are talking about.

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Subject : Saussurea obvallata  
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