code: 681
It makes an attractivev dwarf addition to the rock garden
Family: Plantaginaceae
Common name: Buckshorn plantain
Minimum Height: 6 cm
Maximum Height: 12 cm
Probably the prettiest and daintiest of all of the plantains, this diminutive perennial plant occurs in dry, open, often heavily trampled, habitats on acidic to basic stony or sandy soils and rock crevices, as well as sea-cliffs and sea-walls. But incredibly it is very rarely noticed. It makes an attractivev dwarf addition to the rock garden or the edge of pathways where it pushes out its tiny ‘poker’ flowers in spring and summer, from rosettes of pretty frilly leaves. It is often known as “minutina” or “herba stella,” and is used mostly in salads or as a garnish. The succulent, crunchy leaves are best when harvested young, and taste a little like parsley, spinach or kale, but are sweeter and nuttier.
Sowing advice:
Seeds can be sown at any time but are best sown in winter or early spring to benefit from a cold spell in the wet compost to break their dormancy. We advise covering seeds very thinly with sand or fine grit to about the depth of the seed size. If the seeds do not come up within 6 to 12 weeks the damp seed tray can be given cold treatment in a fridge for about four weeks. They may still take very many months to appear, so please never discard the pot or tray.
Characteristics:
Habitat
terrestrial
New England state
Massachusetts
Flower petal color
- green to brown
- white
Leaf type
the leaves are simple (i.e., lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets)
Leaf arrangement
basal: the leaves are growing only at the base of the plant
Leaf blade edges
- the edge of the leaf blade has lobes, or it has both teeth and lobes
- the edge of the leaf blade has teeth
Flower symmetry
there are two or more ways to evenly divide the flower (the flower is radially symmetrical)
Number of sepals, petals or tepals
there are four petals, sepals, or tepals in the flower
there are three petals, sepals, or tepals in the flower
Fusion of sepals and petals
the petals or the sepals are fused into a cup or tube
Fruit type (general)
the fruit is dry and splits open when ripe
