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Tropaeolum brachyceras - Hook.&Arn.

Common Name
Family Tropaeolaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known
Range S. America - Chile.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Tropaeolum brachyceras


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Tropaeolum brachyceras
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Tropaeolum brachyceras is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from October to August, in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Tubers - cooked[177]. The tubers are quite small[200].

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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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a sunny position in a well-drained humus-rich neutral or slightly acidic loam[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c and is usually best grown in a cold greenhouse or conservatory[200]. Alternatively, the tubers can be lifted in the autumn after the plant has been cut back by frost, stored in a cool but frost-free place over the winter and planted out in April[200]. This species comes from a dry Mediterranean-type climate and commences growth in early autumn, growing through the winter then flowering in early summer before having a short dormancy in late summer[247]. Consequently, it is only going to succeed outdoors in the very mildest parts of the country and is generally best grown in a greenhouse[247, K]. The plant comes from an area with intermittent and unreliable rainfall. It is therefore adapted to remaining dormant for a number of years if the growing conditions are unsuitable and this habit sometimes manifests itself in cultivation, especially if the plants have been potted up recently[247]. A climbing plant, it supports itself by twisting its leaf stalks around other plants etc[219]. The caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly can be a nuisance and often cause considerable damage to the leaves[219].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. Prick the seedlings out into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division of the tubers in late summer. Harvest the tubers once the plant has died down and plant them straight out into their permanent positions. It is probably best to pot up the smaller tubers and grow them on in the greenhouse for a year before planting them out in late summer. Cuttings of basal stems in the spring[200]. Pot them up into individual pots and place them in light shade in a frame until they are established. Plant out in early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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
Tropaeolum leptophyllum Perennial Climber1.5 7-10  LMNM20 
Tropaeolum majusNasturtium, Indian CressPerennial Climber3.5 8-11 FLMNM433
Tropaeolum minusDwarf NasturtiumPerennial0.3 8-11  LMNM432
Tropaeolum patagonicum Perennial0.2 -  LMHNMWe30 
Tropaeolum sessilifolium Perennial Climber3.0 8-11  LMHNDM30 
Tropaeolum tricolorum Perennial Climber1.5 7-10  LMHNM20 
Tropaeolum tuberosumMashua, AnuPerennial Climber2.0 7-10 MLMNM422

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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Hook.&Arn.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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