[amazon_link asins=’B01AN5OBOW,B00EAZ6DQ6,B01LRG4HF4,B01BEKJC08,B00CS3MQAE,B007QYDEQU,B002P2XAN0,B01HH8C3ES,B00CS3MW4Y’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’59922c4e-5ae2-11e7-99ab-53e17d4be60c’]
Botanical Name : Fritillaria thunbergii
Family: Liliaceae
Genus: Fritillaria
Species: F. thunbergii
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Liliales
Synonyms : F. collicola. Hance. F. verticillata thunbergii.
Common Name :Zhe Bei Mu
Habitat :Fritillaria thunbergii is native to China and Japan . It grows in bamboo forests, shady and moist places from near sea level to 600 metres.
Description:
Fritillaria thunbergii is a bulb growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It has linear leaves that are whorled on the top where there are also tendril-like tips. Flowers are cream-colored, flecked or tessellated green. This species needs to be planted deeply. It is in flower from Mar to May. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.It is hardy to zone 8.
CLICK & SEE
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils..It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.It requires moist soil.
Cultivation:
Best grown in a moist peaty soil in the open garden[90]. Easily grown in a moderately fertile soil in sun or semi-shade. Succeeds in drier soils and is drought tolerant when established. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c. The scaly bulbs are best planted on their sides or surrounded in sand to prevent water collecting in their hollow crowns. This species is cultivated as a medicinal plant in Europe and Asia. Plants take 3 – 5 years to flower from seed.
Propagation:
Seed – best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring. Protect from frost. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible and can take a year or more to germinate. Sow the seed quite thinly to avoid the need to prick out the seedlings. Once they have germinated, give them an occasional liquid feed to ensure that they do not suffer mineral deficiency. Once they die down at the end of their second growing season, divide up the small bulbs, planting 2 – 3 to an 8cm deep pot. Grow them on for at least another year in light shade in the greenhouse before planting them out whilst dormant. Division of offsets in August. The larger bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out in the autumn. Bulb scales
Edible Uses: Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves; Root.
Bulb – fried or candied. The bulb is up to 3cm in diameter. Young plants and buds – cooked
Medicinal Uses:
Antitussive; Expectorant; Febrifuge.
The bulbs are antidote, antitussive, astringent, expectorant, galactogogue and purgative. They contain fritimine which diminishes excitability of respiratory centres, paralyses voluntary movement and counters effects of opium. The bulbs are thought to act specifically on tumours and swellings of the throat, neck and chest, and they are taken in the treatment of thyroid gland nodules, scrofula, abscesses and boils and breast cancer. The bulb is used internally in the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia, feverish illnesses, abscesses etc. The bulbs also have a folk history of use against cancer of the breast and lungs in China. This remedy should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, excessive doses can cause breathing difficulties and heart failure. The bulbs are harvested in the winter whilst they are dormant and are dried for later use.
Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider
Resources:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fritillaria_thunbergii
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Fritillaria+thunbergii
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/AsianFritillariaTwo
.
Related articles
- Color in February (easternshoregardener.com)
- Growing Saffron: How to Grow Saffron Organically (growinganything.com)
- Dig, Drop, Done – Can It Be That Simple? (alwaysbcmom.com)
- Allium scorodoprasum (findmeacure.com)
- Planting Garlic: Growing Garlic Organically (growinganything.com)
- Oxalis violacea (findmeacure.com)
- Asarum sieboldii (findmeacure.com)
- Inula britannica (findmeacure.com)
- How Do Tulips Disperse Their Seeds? (proflowers.com)
- How to Grow Onions: Growing Onions Organically (growinganything.com)
- Ways to Brighten Up Your Apartment in Winter (apartmentguide.com)
- Perennial bulbs give gardens a rainbow hue (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
