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Common Name:

General Information

Rubia sikkimensis is a Perennial Climber up to 2.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Eastern Himalayas from Sikkim to Bhutan and Assam.

Habitat

Found at elevations from 600 - 1,500 metres.

Properties

Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	2.00 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, though judging by its native range it might succeed outdoors in the very mildest parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade[]. Tolerates dry soils but quickly becomes scorched when growing in full sun[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A red dye is obtained from the roots, it is sold in local markets in the Himalayas[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed can be very slow to germinate[]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for the first year. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer.
Division in spring or at any time in the growing season if the divisions are kept well watered until established[]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.