Herb latin name: Habenaria sparsiflora


Synonyms: Platanthera sparsiflora


Family: Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)



Edible parts of Habenaria sparsiflora:

The plant has been used as food in times of food shortage.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
60 cm
(2 feet)

Habitat of the herb:

Found mainly along the sides of streams or in boggy places in montane coniferous forests, 1200 - 3300 metres

Propagation of Habenaria sparsiflora:

Seed - surface sow, preferably as soon as it is ripe, in the greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed of this species is extremely simple, it has a minute embryo surrounded by a single layer of protective cells. It contains very little food reserves and depends upon a symbiotic relationship with a species of soil-dwelling fungus. The fungal hyphae invade the seed and enter the cells of the embryo. The orchid soon begins to digest the fungal tissue and this acts as a food supply for the plant until it is able to obtain nutrients from decaying material in the soil. It is best to use some of the soil that is growing around established plants in order to introduce the fungus, or to sow the seed around a plant of the same species and allow the seedlings to grow on until they are large enough to move. Division in autumn. The plant is very intolerant of root disturbance, any moving or dividing should be attempted in the autumn, keep a large ball of soil around the plant.

Cultivation of the herb:

Found mainly along the sides of streams or in boggy places in montane coniferous forests, 1200 - 3300 metres

Medicinal use of Habenaria sparsiflora:

None known

Known hazards of Habenaria sparsiflora:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.