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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Tropaeolum sessilifolium is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 3 m (9ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from April to May. 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:

Tuber - raw or cooked[105, 177]. One of the best-flavoured tubers in this genus, it makes acceptable eating even when raw[2]. The tubers are rather small[247].

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

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]. This rather conflicts with the plants native habitat, since it grows in mountainous areas subject to snow. This should be a cold-tolerant species, adapted to a dry summer after brief spring rain and snowmelt[260]. It might be safest to lift the tubers in the autumn after the plant has been cut back by frost, store them in a cool but frost-free place over the winter and plant them out in April[200]. This species is succeeding outdoors in a garden in Lanarkshire where it is being grown on a bank of sharply draining soil and under some juniper shrubs which both give it protection and act as a support for its climbing stems[247]. The plant sets seed when grown outdoors, but a better set is obtained when the plants are grown under protection[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. The seed normally germinates quite freely[247]. Division of the tubers in the autumn or spring. In cold winter areas the tubers can be harvested in the autumn after top-growth has died down and they can then be stored in a cool frost-free position until planting them out in the spring. 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

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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 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 brachyceras		Perennial Climber	1.0	8-11		LMH	N	DM	1	0
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 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 sessilifolium - Poepp.&Endl.