Thrumwort
Damasonium alisma

Family: Alismataceae

What it is like

Damasonium alisma is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Gravelly ditches and ponds. Very local and apparently decreasing in Britain.

Central and southern Europe, from Britain and France to Italy and S. Russia, south to N. Africa.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Root. No further details are given.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Succeeds in an open sunny position in boggy soils or in still water up to 25cm deep.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in trays standing in shallow water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in trays of shallow water, planting them out in the summer. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Best place to grow: Pond; Bog Garden;

Habit: Annual/Perennial

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth:

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Wet, water

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

D. stellatum. Actinocarpus damasonium.