Pale Bastard Toadflax
Comandra pallida

Family: Santalaceae

What it is like

Comandra pallida is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in). It is in flower from May 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 moist soil.

Height (m): 0.4

Where it is found

Dry hills and plains. Sandy or open rocky ground in Texas.

Western N. America - Manitoba to British Columbia and south to Texas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Fruit. A sweet flavour. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter. The small round seeds are eaten like nuts by children.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The plant is narcotic. A decoction has been used in the treatment of headaches and externally as a foot bath to treat corns. The plant has been used to treat sore eyes and sores on the body and also as a mouth wash for canker sores.

Foot care: Plants that are used in various ways to treat foot problems.

Narcotic: Relieves pain, induces drowsiness and gives a sense of well-being.

Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.

Salve: Soothes and heals damaged skin.

Other

Rating: 2

A blue dye is obtained from the area next to the root bark.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

How it is grown

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:

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

There is a report that the plant can be toxic to mammals.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. umbellata pallida. (A.DC.)Piehl.