RE: Leonotis menthifolia and others
- To: m*@ucdavis.edu, "'n*@mindsovermatter.com'" <n*@mindsovermatter.com>
- Subject: RE: Leonotis menthifolia and others
- From: "* R* <r*@agric.wa.gov.au>
- Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 08:32:28 +0800
Hello Nan,
nice little selection of weeds there friend
Silybum marianum would have to be the worst although the Leonurus
is fairly problematic in the US as well.
My suggestion is grow the Silybum by all means but cut the flowers off
before they seed!
These plants were quite popular in Victorian England, as were a lot of
thistles,
it makes quite a statement with its huge spikes and the massive spiky flower
heads.
Not quite as big as the heraldic or Scotch Thistles though (Onopordum
acanthium).
The first flower is always the best and biggest, we did seed production
trials
and it good conditions can grow to 3 metres (11 feet) and produce 1000 plus
seed.
They will tolerate some shade but are more robust (less leggy) in full sun.
The seed remain dormant for years and the rosettes can be a half metre
across in good soil.
Your Leonotis I know little about, there are some weedy Leonotis species
though.
As long as you keep the seed under control and prevent them getting into
your soil
enjoy them, unless you have an aversion to very spiky plants.
When we harvested the flower heads just prior to seed release we used thick
leather gloves
the spikes still got through them, best to find someone else to do it for
you,
it was always my job to pick them off and place into the bag as I had the
hardest hands...
my small clamim to fame
rod
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Rod Randall
Weed Risk Assessment
Weed Science Group, Agriculture Western Australia
"I weed..."
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> ----------
> From: Nan Sterman
> Reply To: nsterman@mindsovermatter.com
> Sent: Friday, 16 July 1999 2:16 AM
> To: medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
> Subject: Leonotis menthifolia and others
>
> Hi there, I took a trip to the local herb farm and came back with some
> plants that are new to me an for which I have found very little info. Can
> anyone tell me about the culture conditions, size, water requirements of:
>
> Leonotus menthefolia
> Leonurus cardiaca
> Silybum marianum
>
> Thanks
>
> Nan
> **********
> '''''''''''''''''''''''
> Nan Sterman
> San Diego County California
> Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11
>
