Ornamental plant podofill

Podophyll is a popular plant due to its medicinal and decorative properties, for example, podofill spotty is often used in shady gardens.

But since it is common in North America, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas, it is necessary to distinguish between species and also how to plant and care for them to grow in another locality.

Botanical description

Podofill (foot list) - The plant of the Barberry family comes from North America. Includes more than 10 species. The average podophyll plant has 2-3 thyroid leaves, depending on the type of their color can vary from green to purple, red, about 30-40 cm in size. Long rhizome up to 12 cm, high bare stem. One or two flowers with a diameter of about 6-7 cm, the color may be white, pink or red. Later, the flower turns into a fruit, from which he received another name - May apple. It has an oblong oval shape, diameter 6 cm, and up to 15 cm long, the color at the beginning is pale pink, then scarlet, in some species has a bright yellow color.

Species

There are many varieties of podofill to decide on what you need, how to properly care for it, you need to know the features of each of them.

Delaware

Homeland podofill Delaware - Western China. This species is distinguished by its special coloring: purple spots on green leaves, as well as rich pink or purple flowers.

The number of flowers - about 5 pieces, have longitudinal, hanging petals.

The leaf has 5 slices, each of which is divided by 3. The average height of the plant is 60 cm. The flowering period falls in June-July.

Thyroid

A native thyroid podofill from North America. Feature of the plant is a large, long rhizome, which is located at a depth of 30 cm, each year increases in length by 10-15 cm. The leaves with three sections have a deep green color, the plate is placed horizontally. The flower with a diameter of 5 cm is located under the leaf on a special leg, has a white color. Fruits are red, 4-5 cm in length.Flowering occurs in June, by August fruits are formed.

Emoda

Originally from podofill Emoda from the Himalayas. On a long, elongated stem two leaves are placed, they have a bright green color and a shiny surface, divided into slices cut at the edges. Flower on the plant alone: ​​white or pale pink.

The rhizome is short, their planting looks like a bush. Flowering begins in May, and by August orange or red fruits form.

Multicolor

Multiflowered podofill has the greatest length - about 70 cm. The foliage is divided into 5 segments, has a shiny surface and a dark green color. A single purple or red flower appears on the plant. Flowering occurs in June and July. Fruits similar in shape to a ruby-colored plum appear in August.

Where to plant a podofill?

Good soil for podofill will be moderately moist, with an average level of acidity of the earth. It is very important that there is no stagnation of water, otherwise the plant will begin to rot. But in too dry ground the foliage will be sluggish and not juicy.If the land is not fruitful, it should be composted (pour 2-3 buckets per 1 sq. M.)

The landing should be carried out in places with shadow. In the sun, its leaves quickly wither and fall. For this reason, podofill is often used in shady gardens.

Podofill can be planted next to other plants, such as ferns, hosts. He gets on well with them, because unpretentious care.

Planting and reproduction

Since the plant is quite exotic, then its reproduction should be treated with special attention. It is necessary to determine how to multiply the podofill, how to do it correctly.

Seeds

For reproduction, it is better to use freshly harvested seeds, sow in early autumn. Sprouts may be next year or spring. If the seeds are not fresh, then they need special treatment. To do this, use a weak solution of potassium permanganate or heteroauxin. If planting is planned in the spring, in 2-3 months it is worthwhile to stratify seeds in wet sand at low temperatures.

It is recommended to plant seeds at a distance of not less than 10 cm from each other into the ground prepared in advance (to fertilize, dig up). After watering and filling the ground with 2-4 cm. Under favorable conditions, self-sowing will occur, seedlings are not whimsical to care for.

Rhizome slices

For reproduction with this method, it is necessary to take a piece of rhizome with a renewal kidney and bury it in a hole 5 cm deep. It is necessary to plant at a distance of at least 25 cm. Planting is carried out in late August. In the second year, this method should already bear fruit.

Plant care

Podofill is an easy-to-care plant, thanks to which it is quite popular. Necessary elements is timely, moderate watering, preferably on the soil. An important element is the weed harvest, because it is impossible to use tools, since they can damage the large rhizome of the plant.

For the best growth, it is necessary to feed three times a year: in the spring before flowering, in the summer for fruit loading, in the autumn - after the leaves are harvested. Feed may be tincture of the mullein with dry peat.

Without a transplant, it can grow for about 7 years, but if it needs to be done it must be done very carefully so as not to damage the rhizome. It is important to respect the distance, each plant needs more than 50 cm of soil.

Application features

In addition to its decorative properties, podofill also has medicinal ones. Tincture and decoction of the roots is used for hearing loss, as well as a laxative and choleretic agent. The drug based on podofill is used in oncology - it suspends the division of tumor cells.

In everyday life, the fruit of the thyroid podofill is used, jam can be made from it, and it can be consumed fresh.

Podofill is a unique exotic plant that can serve not only as a beautiful decoration of a garden, but also to help in the fight against various diseases.