Carpesium triste

Maxim.

Asteraceae Edible: Leaves 47 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

A perennial reaching 1 meter tall producing hermaphroditic insect-pollinated flowers. Flowering occurs August to October with seeds ripening September to October. Establishes in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils across mildly acidic to basic pH ranges. Tolerates semi-shade or open sun with a preference for moist soil conditions.

Description

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems are slender and 40-100 cm tall. They have dense hairs. There are leaves at the base and on the stems but the base leaves fall off. The leaves on the stem have long winged leaf stalks. The leaves are oval to oblong and 13-20 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. They are hairy. There are irregular teeth along the edge.

Edible Uses

The young plant is edible and best eaten cooked.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in forests and along streams between 700-3,700 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Russia, Siberia, Taiwan,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. See the plants native habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a cold frame, barely covering it and keeping the compost moist at all times. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once large enough to handle, and grow on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Can also be propagated by division in spring.