Asperula cynanchica - Squinancy Wort

Family:	Rubiaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.4
Synonyms:
Range:	Central and southeastern Europe, including Britain, to the Caucasus.

Asperula cynanchica (Squinancy Wort) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.4m . It has a hardness rating of 4.
Squinancy Wort will flower in December to January. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Squinancy Wort will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Squinancy Wort prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Squinancy Wort can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Dry calcareous pastures and calcareous dunes[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• Suits a meadow

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in almost any soil, including dry ones[1]. Prefers a well-drained moisture retentive soil in sun or semi-shade[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The plant was at one time esteemed as a remedy for quinsy, but it is no longer used in herbal medicine[4].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring to early summer in a light position in a cold frame[134]. 2 weeks pre-chilling improves the germination rate[134]. The seed usually germinates in 1 month at 10°c[134]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or early summer[200]. Basal cuttings of soft young shoots in early summer[200].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A red dye is obtained from the root[4].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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