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Summary

Physical Characteristics

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

Plant 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

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None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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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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Plant 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 Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Chile (Coquimbo, Maule, Libertador General Bernardo O Higgins, Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Valparaíso)

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
Tropaeolum leptophyllum		Perennial Climber	1.5	7-10		LM	N	M	2	0
Tropaeolum majus	Nasturtium, Indian Cress	Perennial Climber	3.5	8-11	F	LM	N	M	4	3	3
Tropaeolum minus	Dwarf Nasturtium	Perennial	0.3	8-11		LM	N	M	4	3	2
Tropaeolum patagonicum		Perennial	0.2	-		LMH	N	MWe	3	0
Tropaeolum sessilifolium		Perennial Climber	3.0	8-11		LMH	N	DM	3	0
Tropaeolum tricolorum		Perennial Climber	1.5	7-10		LMH	N	M	2	0
Tropaeolum tuberosum	Mashua, Anu	Perennial Climber	2.0	7-10	M	LM	N	M	4	2	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.

Tropaeolum brachyceras - Hook.&Arn.