Common Name: Finger Poppy Mallow

General Information

Callirhoe digitata is an erect, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a thick, tuberous taproot; it produces 1 - 4 slender, branching stems, growing 50 - 200cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Central and Southern N. America - Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma

Habitat

Dry plains and barrens[]. Limestone and dolomitic glades, bald knobs, barrens, rocky prairies, open, cherty woodlands; at elevations from 200 - 500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Callirhoe digitata is hardy to about -15°c[].
Prefers a light rich sandy loam and a sunny position[, ]. Easily grown in a dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Plants develop a long taproot and resent root disturbance - they 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[].

Edible Uses

Root - cooked[, ]. A pleasant taste[, , ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow outdoors or in a cold frame. Plants resent root disturbance so the seed is best sown in situ in mid spring[], 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[].
Cuttings of young basal shoots in a frame in sand[, ]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Division[]. With care since the plant resents root disturbance. We have found that it is best not to disturb this plant and so do not try to divide it, relying instead on taking basal cuttings since these do not disturb the main clump[].