Bolax gummifera

(Lam.) Spreng.

Bolsam-bog

Apiaceae Edible: Root 487 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Bolax gummifera is a species of flowering plant in the genus Bolax, found in the Patagonian Andes and the Falkland Islands.

Description

A herb or small shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. It forms hard dense cushions. These can be 1.3 m tall.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Root - raw or roasted.

Traditional Uses

The roots are eaten raw and used for flavouring.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Antispasmodic Deobstruent An oleo-resin obtained from incisions made at the base of the main stem is antispasmodic and deobstruent.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 3,500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Chile, Falklands, South America,

Propagation

Seed - it may be best to sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring. Stored seed should be sown in late winter in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on 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 of rooting rosettes in the summer

Other Uses

Plants can be used for ground cover, forming a very dense carpet of growth. Special Uses Ground cover

Synonyms

Bolax glebaria Comm. ex Lam.

References (3)

Leon-Lobos, P., et al, 2022, Patterns of Traditional and Modern Uses of Wild Edible Native Plants of Chile: Challenges and Future Perspectives. Plants (Basel) v 11 (6) Table S1
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Upson, R., & Lewis R., 2014, Updated Vascular Plant Checklist and Atlas for the Falkland Islands. Falklands Conservation and Kew.