Lysichiton camtschatcense -

Family:	Araceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.75
Width:	0.6
Synonyms:	L. album. L. japonicum.
Range:	E. Asia - Japan.

Lysichiton camtschatcense () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.75m and a width of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Lysichiton camtschatcense will flower in August to October. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects, self

Soil Information

Lysichiton camtschatcense will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary 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
Lysichiton camtschatcense prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Lysichiton camtschatcense can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Bogs and wet places, also by ponds and lakes[187].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds
• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Requires a wet or damp humus-rich soil in full sun or semi-shade[200]. Grows well by water or in the bog garden[1]. Succeeds in shallow water. Hardy to about -15°c[200] Young plants require protection from slugs[187]. Plants are slow to establish at first, taking some years, but they can then become naturalized and self-sow[208]. The flowers are sweetly scented according to one report[187], whilst another says that the plant emits an unpleasant animal smell[245]. Hybridizes with L. americanus[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Young shoots - they must be thoroughly cooked otherwise they are poisonous[105].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in pots in a cold frame[134]. Keep very moist, preferably by emmersing the pot in 2 -3 cm of water[200]. Germination is usually good, taking place within 1 - 2 months at 15°c[134]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in trays of water in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in the middle of autumn or mid to late winter, but no later than this because the plant will be coming into growth.

Scented parts of the plants

Flowers : Fresh

Known Hazards

The plant is rich in calcium oxylate, this is toxic and if consumed makes the mouth and digestive tract feel as though hundreds of needles are being stuck into it. However, calcium oxylate is easily destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant.

Other Uses

The plants have very large leaves and form a slowly spreading clump. They can be grown as a ground cover, spaced about 1 metre apart each way[208].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Ohwi. G.
Author: Ohwi. G.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1965

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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