Common Name:

General Information

Azorina vidalii is an evergreen shrub growing about 30cm tall.
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for its edible leaves. It is also often grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Azores

Habitat

Sea cliffs[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Azorina vidalii is a plant of fairly dry, almost frost-free climates. It is not very hardy outdoors in most of the temperate zone, tolerating temperatures down to about 0°c[]. It can possibly be grown outdoors in the mildest areas of the country if given the protection of a sunny wall.
Requires a moist but very free-draining soil of medium fertility and a sunny position.
A short-lived plant, tending to rot in humid conditions[].
Flowers tend to be white on plants grown in greenhouses, but turn pink on outdoor plants[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw. An excellent sweet flavour, the leaves can be used like lettuce in salads, though the plant is not very productive[]. It is important to only harvest individual side leaves, if the growing tip is harvested the shoot will usually die off[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in mid spring in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a 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.