Herb: Lavatera


Latin name: Lavatera cachemiriana


Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)



Medicinal use of Lavatera:

Demulcent, pectoral, purgative.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
2.4 m
(7 3/4 foot)

Flowering:
July to
August

Habitat of the herb:

Humus rich soils in meadows and forest clearings, 1800 - 3600 metres. Wet meadows or sunny slopesat elevations of 540 - 2200 metresin Tibet.

Edible parts of Lavatera:

Young leaves - raw or cooked. A mild flavour, but they are tough and not very worthwhile. When cooked they have a somewhat slimy consistency. Flowers - raw. Rather bland, but an attractive garnish to a salad.

Other uses of the herb:

A strong fibre is obtained from the stems, it is used for making string, bags, paper etc.

Propagation of Lavatera:

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Germination is usually quick and good. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. Basal cuttings in spring. Cuttings of softwood in June/July.

Cultivation of the herb:

Humus rich soils in meadows and forest clearings, 1800 - 3600 metres. Wet meadows or sunny slopesat elevations of 540 - 2200 metresin Tibet.

Known hazards of Lavatera cachemiriana:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.