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Crambe cordifolia: Flowering Sea Kale
Crambe cordifolia, commonly known as Flowering Sea Kale or Heartleaf Crambe, is a striking perennial plant known for its impressive size and cloud-like masses of white flowers. It's a popular choice for gardens and parks due to its architectural presence and attractiveness to butterflies.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant is frequently seen in gardens and parks, increasing the chance of encounters with pets.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Crambe cordifolia
- Common Name: Flowering Sea Kale, Heartleaf Crambe
- Genus: Crambe
- Family: Brassicaceae (Cabbage family)
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Europe.
- Often found in gardens and parks.
- Crambe maritima, another species of Crambe, is found on shingle and boulder beaches, occasionally on dunes, and on cliffs.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- A tall perennial growing up to 2 meters (6 feet) in height and 1.2 meters (4 feet) in width.
- Forms a giant mound.
- Features tall, branching, airy heads of tiny white flowers on stout green stems.
- Flowers appear in June and are replaced by tiny rounded green beads.
- Has large leaves.
Cultivation
- Ideally grown in deep, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
- Tolerates poor soil and partial shade.
- Average to fast-growing.
- Flowering period is from June to July.
- Fully hardy.
Propagation
- Can be propagated by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or autumn.
- Can also be propagated by division.
Quirky Facts
- The plant is sometimes described as looking like a cloud has landed in the garden.
Related Crambe Species
- Crambe abyssinica is an oilseed crop used for industrial applications and cosmetics.
- Crambe maritima is a rosette plant with a fleshy taproot.
- Crambe chilensis sp. nov., C. amarilla sp. nov., and C. maldonadoi sp. nov. are other species within the genus.