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Common Name:

General Information

Crambe cordifolia is a perennial plant that can grow up to 2.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

W. Asia - Afghanistan and Iran.

Habitat

Grows on the steppes and open stony places[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in a good loam and an open sunny position[, , ] but also tolerating some shade[]. Prefers a slightly alkaline soil in a position sheltered from strong winds[]. Another place in this report says that the plant tolerates maritime exposure[]. Tolerates poor and dry soils and some shade[]. Dislikes acid soils[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[].
A deep-rooted plant[], it dislikes root disturbance. The young growth in spring is adored by slugs[].
Plants can be grown in the summer meadow if the grass is not cut too low, since this would damage the growing point[].
The flowers emit a delicious wallflower-like scent in hot sunny weather[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked[, , ]. Used as a potherb[]. Young leaves have a pleasant cabbage-like flavour, though older leaves are rather tough[].
Root - cooked[, , ].

Medicinal

The plant is used as a cure for itch[].

Other Uses

Plants can be used for ground cover when planted about 1.2 metres apart each way. They form large clumps[].

Propagation

Seed - sow early to mid spring in a seedbed outdoors and either thin the plants out or move them to their permanent positions when about 10cm tall[]. The young plants are very attractive to slugs so some protection will often be needed. Germination can be slow so it is best to sow the seed in pots in a cold frame[]. Germination usually takes place in 3 - 26 weeks at 15°c[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions when they are at least 10cm tall.
Division in spring or autumn[, ]. Dig up the root clump and cut off as many sections as you require, making sure they all have at least one growing point. The larger of these divisions can be planted out straight into their permanent positions, though small ones are best potted up and grown on in a cold frame until they are established.
Root cuttings, 3 - 10 cm long, in spring[]. These can be planted straight into the open ground or you can pot them up in the greenhouse and plant them out once they are growing strongly.