Phlomis tuberosa

Tuberous Jerusalem Sage, Tuberous phlomis, Tuberous sage

Lamiaceae Edible: Root

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Summary

Phlomis tuberosa is a perennial reaching 1.5 m tall and 1 m wide. Hardy to UK zone 6, it flowers July to August and is hermaphroditic and insect-pollinated. The plant requires full sun and grows well in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. It tolerates mildly acidic, neutral, and basic pH levels, preferring dry or moist soil but not thriving in shade.

Description

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It is tall and hairy. It grows 0.9-1.8 m high. The root has small tubers. The leaves are oval or heart shaped and scalloped along the edge. They can be 25 cm long. There are 14-40 flowers in a flower spike 30 cm long. The flowers are purple or pink.

Edible Uses

The roots are edible cooked. They are rich in starch but have a somewhat bitter flavour.

Traditional Uses

The roots are eaten cooked.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

No medicinal uses are known for this plant.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in wet grasslands and valleys between 1,200-2,100 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 6-10.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Central Asia, Europe, Greece, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mediterranean, Mongolia, Russia, Siberia, Slovenia, Tasmania, Yugoslavia,

Cultivation

Requires a well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold winds. Hardy to at least -15°c, if the top growth is killed back by the cold the plants will usually regrow. Another report says that it is hardy to about -25°c but is totally deciduous in the winter.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse, barely covering it; it germinates quickly. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow them on in a greenhouse for their first year, then plant out in early summer. The tubers can be divided in spring or autumn, taking care not to damage them. Tubers divided in autumn are best stored in a cool but frost-free place over winter and planted out in spring; spring divisions can go straight into their permanent positions.

Other Uses

No other uses are known for this plant.

Notes

There are about 100 Phlomis species.

Also Known As

Bodman sok

References (12)

Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 393
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1028
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 133
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 487
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 230

Show all 12 references

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List of wild edible plants in Mongolian cuisine
http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/en/plants
Lawton, B.P., 2002, Mints. A Family of Herbs and Ornamentals. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon. p 172
Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 65
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Sp. pl. 2:586. 1753
Urgamal, M., Oyuntsetseg, B., Nyambayar, D. & Dulamsuren, Ch. 2014. Conspectus of the vascular plants of Mongolia. (Editors: Sanchir, Ch. & Jamsran, Ts.). Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. “Admon“ Press. 334pp. (p. 79-90).