Lavatera cachemiriana - Lavatera

Family:	Malvaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	2.4
Width:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - Himalayas from Pakistan to Uttar Pradesh.

Lavatera cachemiriana (Lavatera) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 2.4m and a width of 1m . It has a fast growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 8and is vunerable to frost.
Lavatera will flower in January to February. the seeds ripen from February to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Lavatera 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 of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Lavatera prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Lavatera should not be planted in shady areas.

Humus rich soils[145] in meadows and forest clearings, 1800 - 3600m[51].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge

Cultivation Details

Avery easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in sun or partial shade[1, 187]. Prefers a light well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[200]. A soil that is too rich encourages foliar growth at the expense of flowering[200]. Tolerates maritime exposure[200]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187]. This species is considered by some botanists to be no more than a minor variant of L. thuringiaca[187].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Young leaves - raw or cooked. A mild flavour, but they are tough and not very worthwhile[K]. When cooked they have a somewhat slimy consistency[K]. Flowers - raw. Rather bland, but an attractive garnish to a salad[K].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
Demulcent, pectoral, purgative[61].

• Demulcent - Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.
• Pectoral - Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.
• Purgative - A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[200]. Germination is usually quick and good. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer[K]. Basal cuttings in spring. Cuttings of softwood in June/July[188].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A strong fibre is obtained from the stems, it is used for making string, bags, paper etc[74].

• Fibre - Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flowers of the Himalayas.
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Author: Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Rating:
Publisher : A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.
Date of Publication : 1984

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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