New
HIMALAYAN MAY APPLE
Podophyllum hexandrum, Sinopodophyllum hexandrum
SKU: 636-003
Description
This choice plant has marbled bronze foliage which erupt through the ground like folded umbrellas. Crystalline white flower cups produce enormous brilliant-red fruits, as large as a bantam's egg. In good moist soil this treasure is spectacular and very long-lived but too rarely seen!
Sinopodophyllum is an herbaceous perennial native to Afghanistan, Bhutan, northern India, Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan, and western China (Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan). Common names include Himalayan may apple and Indian may apple.
Sinopodophyllum hexandrum is low to the ground with glossy green, drooping, lobed leaves on its few stiff branches, bearing a pale pink flower and bright red-orange bulbous fruit. The ornamental appearance of the plant make it a desirable addition to woodland-type gardens. It is very tolerant of cold temperatures, as would be expected of a Himalayan plant, but it does not tolerate dry conditions.
Harvesting from the wild is becoming unsustainable. Over-exploitation of S. hexandrum and deforestation have resulted in its current IUCN endangered listing.
A study published by Kharkwal et al. (2008) found that propagating S. hexandrum seeds in an off-site controlled environment allowed seedlings to grow one year faster than in the field. Effective ex situ methods such as this can conserve genetic diversity while providing a substantial volume of transplants to go back out into the wild to combat over-harvesting vulnerability.
Height: 30-45cm
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 4-8
Location: Shade or part shade
Note: Ornamental use only. These seeds and/or plants are poisonous.
Seeds per pack: 3
Germination: Start these seeds right away to preserve viability, no matter the time of year. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Leave them at room temperature (20-22 °C, 68-72 °F) for 4 weeks. If they have not germinated after 4 weeks then a cooling period is required. Cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 6-8 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to room temperature for them to germinate. Germination is generally 30-90 days after the warming period, though may take longer. Do not discard the growing tray, and keep lightly moist. Patience is required, though well worth the wait.
Description
This choice plant has marbled bronze foliage which erupt through the ground like folded umbrellas. Crystalline white flower cups produce enormous brilliant-red fruits, as large as a bantam's egg. In good moist soil this treasure is spectacular and very long-lived but too rarely seen!
Sinopodophyllum is an herbaceous perennial native to Afghanistan, Bhutan, northern India, Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan, and western China (Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan). Common names include Himalayan may apple and Indian may apple.
Sinopodophyllum hexandrum is low to the ground with glossy green, drooping, lobed leaves on its few stiff branches, bearing a pale pink flower and bright red-orange bulbous fruit. The ornamental appearance of the plant make it a desirable addition to woodland-type gardens. It is very tolerant of cold temperatures, as would be expected of a Himalayan plant, but it does not tolerate dry conditions.
Harvesting from the wild is becoming unsustainable. Over-exploitation of S. hexandrum and deforestation have resulted in its current IUCN endangered listing.
A study published by Kharkwal et al. (2008) found that propagating S. hexandrum seeds in an off-site controlled environment allowed seedlings to grow one year faster than in the field. Effective ex situ methods such as this can conserve genetic diversity while providing a substantial volume of transplants to go back out into the wild to combat over-harvesting vulnerability.
Height: 30-45cm
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 4-8
Location: Shade or part shade
Note: Ornamental use only. These seeds and/or plants are poisonous.
Seeds per pack: 3
Germination: Start these seeds right away to preserve viability, no matter the time of year. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Leave them at room temperature (20-22 °C, 68-72 °F) for 4 weeks. If they have not germinated after 4 weeks then a cooling period is required. Cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 6-8 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to room temperature for them to germinate. Germination is generally 30-90 days after the warming period, though may take longer. Do not discard the growing tray, and keep lightly moist. Patience is required, though well worth the wait.
