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Common Name:

General Information

Dicoria canescens is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.75 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southwestern N. America - California to Colorado, Nw Mexico and Baja California.

Habitat

Alkaline soils, desert washes, flats at elevations of 20 - 1700 metres[].

Properties

Habit	Perennial
Height	0.75 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. It is only likely to succeed outdoors where conditions can be made to suit its native desert-like environment[].

Edible Uses

The flowers and the seed are ground up and eaten[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

We have no knowledge of this species and would suggest sowing the seed in spring in a greenhouse in a very well drained compost. Only just cover the seed, but do not allow to dry out. Pot up the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on in the greenhouse for at least a year before planting out in early summer. Consider giving winter protection for at leat the first couple of winters after the plant has been planted out.