Samolus valerandi - Brookweed

Family:	Primulaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.3
Synonyms:
Range:	Most regions of the world, including Britain, usually near the sea.

Samolus valerandi (Brookweed) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Brookweed will flower in December to February. the seeds ripen from January to February
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Self

Soil Information

Brookweed 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 between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Brookweed prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Brookweed should not be planted in shady areas.

Wet places, especially near the sea[17], also in shallow water, avoiding acid soils and shade[56].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil in a wet position or in shallow water[1, 200]. Dislikes shade or acid soils.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Young leaves - raw or cooked[46, 61]. A rather bitter flavour[K].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The leaves are antiscorbutic[46, 61].

• Antiscorbutic - A plant rich in vitamin C that is used to counteract scurvy.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a cold frame in the spring, standing the pot in about 3cm of water. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and gradually increase the depth of water as the plants grow until it is level with the tops of the pots. Plant out in the summer if there has been sufficient growth, otherwise plant out in late spring of the following year. Division in spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

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

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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