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Calicotome villosa

Common name:		Family:	Leguminosae
Author:	(Poir.)Link.	Botanical references:	200
Synonyms:	Calicotome infesta ((C.Presl.)Guss.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	Europe - Mediterranean.
Habitat:	Dry stony habitats in evergreen scrub near the coast. It is especially common in areas after woodland clearance[200].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	0

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	Calycotome villosa[E] Spartium villosum[G]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Kandoul [E],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	villosa = hairy;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Fabales. Renamed to Fabaceae -- Pea family
Other Range Info:	From the Ethnobotany Database
	Nc

Physical Characteristics

A decidious shrub growing to 3m. It is hardy to zone 8. It is in flower from May to July. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 0/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Hedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

None known

Other Uses

Hedge.

Plants can be used for low hedging[200].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a very well-drained soil in a sunny position[200].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c if it is given perfect drainage[200].
Plants dislike root disturbance[200] and should be put into their final positions as soon as possible.
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest pre-soaking the seed for 12 - 24 hours (by which time it should have swollen up) in warm water and sowing it in a greenhouse in early spring. Pot up the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse, planting out in late spring or early summer in their permanent positions.
Cuttings of half ripe wood, July/August in a frame. It is probably best to put each cutting in its own pot.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[PHARM] Phytochemical Data (common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for Calycotome villosa (a possible synonym).

[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963

This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Calicotome+villosa
This page (US) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Calicotome+villosa

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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.