Callirhoe leiocarpa

R. Martin

Tall poppy-mallow

Malvaceae Edible: Root 3,435 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Annual plant growing to 0.9 m tall with hermaphroditic flowers. Blooms in August with seed ripening in September. Hardy to UK zone 6. Grows in light sandy, well-drained soil. Tolerates mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline soils. Requires full sun and adapts to dry or moist conditions.

Description

An annual herb. It grows 90 cm tall. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are simple and have lobes.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Root - cooked. Parsnip-shaped.

Traditional Uses

The roots are cooked and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It suits USDA hardiness zones 5-9.

Where It Grows

North America, USA,

Cultivation

Prefers a light rich sandy loam and a sunny position. This species is hardy to about -15°c. A polymorphic species. Plants resent root disturbance and should be planted into their final positions as soon as possible. Slugs are strongly attracted to this plant and can destroy even established plants by eating out all the young shoots in spring.

Propagation

Seed - sow outdoors or in a cold frame. Plants resent root disturbance so the seed is best sown in situ in April, though the slugs will have a field day if you do not protect the plants. If seed is in short supply then sow it in pots in a cold frame, putting a few seeds in each pot, and plant the pots out in early summer once the plants have put on at least 15cm of growth. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 6 months at 15°c.