Bastard Toad Flax, California bastard toadflax, Pale bastard toadflax
Comandra umbellata
Family: Santalaceae
What it is like
Comandra umbellata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from April to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Dry to moist sandy well-drained soils, especially those that are acid, from sea level to the sub-alpine zone.
Eastern N. America - Michigan to Alabama.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Fruit - raw. A sweet flavour. The flowers are sucked by children for their sweet nectar.
Nectar: produced in such abundance by some flowers that it can be harvested fairly easily.
Medicine
Rating: 1
An infusion of the leaves has been used to treat lung pains and laboured breathing caused by a cold or other illness. The juice of the plant has been applied externally to treat cuts and sores.
Pectoral: Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.
Salve: Soothes and heals damaged skin.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a well-drained moisture retentive lime-free soil. A parasitic plant obtaining at least some of its nutrients from the roots of other plants. It is said to parasitize over 200 different species of plants in the wild.
Propagating it: Seed - stratify for 3 months at 5°c and then sow in the greenhouse in a pot with a suitable host. Plant out when it is well established close to a mature host plant.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist