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Re: Sarcopoterium menziesii

Hello, about Sarcopoterium, I grow an other one, Sarcopoterium spinosum,
which I collected in Crete. Maybe both are synonyms. I didn't see any
Sarcopoterium when  I was in Israel a few years ago.

In Crete Sarcopoterium grows in very dry mountains where it  gets quite
cold in winter (along with plants like Phlomis fruticosa, Phlomis cretica,
Ballota pseudodictamnus, Thymus capitatus, Pistacia lentiscus, Cistus
parviflorus and the beautiful Satureja coimbra). The typical habit of
Sarcopoterium is a round compact bush, because of the goats eating
everything. 

In my garden Sarcopoterium has become much larger about 1 meter wide and 60
cm high in less than 2 year's growth. It seems very drought resistant and
did not suffer at all last winter at - 8 ° C. I presume it can take much
lower temperatures. It makes an excellent ground-cover. 

Sarcopoterium is a Rosaceae. The flowers are quite insignificant, reddish,
in february and march. Propagation is not  easy. Best is to sow in autumn
outside so that the seeds take the cold : they germinate in spring. I
propagate Sarcopoterium by cuttings, but it isn't very easy either. 

Good luck !

Olivier

----------
> De : Ccopuntia@aol.com
> A : medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
> Objet : Sarcopoterium menziesii
> Date : mercredi 1 octobre 1997 00:35
> 
> I have been given a small amount of this unusual seed which I would like
to
> propagate, but I am unable to find any information about this Genus.  The
> good-sized seeds, which look like small brown peppercorns, seen hard
enough
> to require a hot water soak, or nicking etc.  Has anyone any knowledge or
> experience with growing this?  The owner of the mother plant (in a local
dry
> garden) believes it originates from Israel.  Any comments?  I'd like to
be a
> little better informed before I start experimenting with my limited
quantity.
>  Thank you in advance for your help.
> 
> C. Carter, Zone 9 Northern California
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