Re: request for info about Stobilanthes sp.
- To: M*@ucdavis.edu
- Subject: Re: request for info about Stobilanthes sp.
- From: "* F* D* <s*@nr.infi.net>
- Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 12:58:59 -0400 (EDT)
At 07:51 PM 6/11/1999 -0700, you wrote:
>This may not be strictly a Mediterranean plant, but it seems to do well
>so far up here in the Northern Sacramento Valley. With the plant
>expertise out there, I couldn't think of a better place to ask. I was
>given cuttings of what is supposed to be a species of Strobilanthes. In
>
>reading an old edition of Bailey's Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture,
>it might be S. anisophyllus.
>
>I'm wondering how I might know which species it actually is, and what
>are the limits and/or peculiarities of this plant? How little water will
>
>it endure? (I was hoping it might tolerate dry shade), how much cold
>will it endure? What uses is it especially suited to?
>
>Does anyone have information about this plant?
>
>Thanks,
>--
>Gary Matson Far Northern California
>http://www.plantstogo.com
>Adapted Plants for Hot Summer Climates
Gary:
Strobilanthes anisophyllus is from Assam, and is similar to Str. isophyllus,
but with wider leaves (info from Hortus 3)
Bedding Conehead
Strobilanthes isophyllus (Acanthaceae)
Height: To 3'in light shade.
Width: To 3'in light shade.
Soil Conditions: Good garden soil or sandy loam.
Fertilization: Two applications of slow release fertilizer, some humus and
lime are helpful.
Exposure: Full sun to part shade.
Hardiness: Hardy in zone 9, probably 8.
Herbal/Medicinal Uses: None known.
Other Uses: Ornamental, with purplish foliage and 1 inch tubular light
lavender flowers. Leaves .4 - .5 inches wide and 3 inches long.
Strobilanthes dyeranus is from Burma, has coleus-like colored foliage
(green, silver, and purple, about 4 - 5 inches long and 1.5 inch wide. It
is more robust than the other two species, and has 1.5 inch tubular flowers.
It is hardy in Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA. The other species may be as
hardy.
Yucca-Do nursery has a building interest in the Acanthaceae, which are found
in the same collecting areas as Salvias. My interest in this family has
been recently piqued by a report I received on the use of teas from Justicia
spicigera as a treatment for blood disorders and dysentery. Can anyone lead
me to any research on this area? I have most of the info off of the Web.
Richard F. Dufresne
313 Spur Road
Greensboro, NC 27406
336-674-3105
