Strapwort
Corrigiola littoralis
Family: Caryophyllaceae
What it is like
Corrigiola littoralis is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Cleistogomy (self-pollinating without flowers ever opening). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Sandy gravelly banks of ponds at two sites only, one in S. Devon and the other around Helston in Cornwall.
Southwestern Europe, including Britain, from Denmark south and east to N. and E. Africa, W. Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Leaves. No more details are given.
Medicine
Rating: 1
Stomachic, tonic.
Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Other
Rating: 1
A perfume is obtained from the roots.
Essential: Essential oils that are used in perfumery, medicines, paint solvents, insect repellents etc.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Requires a moist sandy soil, growing well in a rock garden. The information for this plant probably also applies to the closely related C. telephiifolia from Europe, a species that is said to be perennial.
Propagating it: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing it in pots in a cold frame in the spring or when ripe in the autumn. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. If larger quantities of seed are available then an outdoor sowing in situ could be tried.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual/Biennial
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist