Phyteuma spicatum

'Spiked Rampion'

Campanulaceae: a rare long-lived herbaceous perennial to 0.7 m (2ft 4in). found in woods, thickets and meadows, usually in dry non-acid soils. The flowers are lime green or yellowish white, rarely bluish. Inflorescence initially elliptic, later an elongated, cylindrical, terminal spike, 4–9cm long, blooming from June–July. The leaves are alternate, with the basal leaves long-stalked. P. spicatum has been grown for centuries as a medicinal plant, and was first recorded in the wild in 1640. Plants in Sussex were first recorded in 1824, suggesting that although traditionally regarded as native, it might be an introduction there. It was formerly more widespread and more abundant within this stronghold. It cannot tolerate shade and has disappeared from many sites through a lack of coppicing. Native to Central and southern Europe, including Britain, but absent from the Mediterranean.

USES:

The root can be eaten raw or cooked, the thick and fleshy, the root can be eaten in salads or boiled as a vegetable.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Surface sow seeds in spring, keep warm and moist, germination is usually pretty quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. Succeeds in almost any moderately good soil in sun or light shade, it succeeds in a woodland garden, but will not grow in full shade!

HARVESTED: 2018

 

APPROX. 100+ SEEDS