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Common Name: Spanish Nut

General Information

Gynandriris sisyrinchium is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.20 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

Possibly poisonous[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe - Mediterranean.

Habitat

Dry places near the coast[] and up to 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a stiff limey soil in full sun[]. Tolerates some shade[]. Plants need plenty of moisture whilst in growth in winter and spring, but need a dry soil when they die down in the summer[].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[], and in general does not do well in this country[]. It requires a summer baking to ripen the roots and ensure good flowering in the following year[]. It should be planted about 10 - 15cm deep[]. It is probably best grown in a bulb frame[].
The flowers usually open in the afternoon and are faded by the morning[].

Edible Uses

The root is edible raw or cooked and is also used as a spice[, , ]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the 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.
Division.