CARYOPHYLLACEAE

Alpine or Tufted Colobanth

 

0.5m (50cm) 

Borne on stalks slightly longer than leaves. Small, no petals, white/ cream sepals ,usually 5 

Capsule 

Densely tufted perennial herb, leaves linear, more or less limp and pointed, about 5cm long but, not ending in a hair. 

 

Montane Vegetation 

Recorded from Port Davey and the Hampshire Hills. 

Exposed; Moist; Windy 

Hardy 

Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Well-drained; Peaty 

Not often cultivated but could be used amongst boulders or other low growing plants. Requires moist, well drained soils, rich in organic matter. Will tolerate full sun or partial shade. There has been some success in establishing these slow-growing plants in cultivation by providing constant moisture in the area of the root system. This can be done by preparing a cone-shaped hole about 1m deep, diameter about 2m. The hole is then lined with heavy-duty black plastic sheeting and drainage holes provided at about 0.5m deep. Place peat moss in the hole to just above the drainage holes and then fill the hole with a mixture of equal parts good quality loam, sand and peat moss. Regular watering may be required in hot weather. Bog gardens can also provide suitable conditions. Suitable below powerlines. 

Fruit - a capsule opening by as many valves as sepals. seeds numerous 

Standard 

 

 

May be grown from seed. 

 

 

 

 

 

Also grown from cuttings.