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Azorina vidalii - (H.C.Watson.)Feer.

Author	(H.C.Watson.)Feer.	Botanical references	200
Family	Campanulaceae	Genus	Azorina
Synonyms	Campanula vidalii - H.C.Watson.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	Azores.
Habitat	Sea cliffs[260].
Edibility Rating	3 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	0 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen Shrub growing to 0.3m by 0.25m.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) 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

Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds; South Wall By; West Wall By;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves.

Leaves - raw. An excellent sweet flavour, the leaves can be used like lettuce in salads, though the plant is not very productive[K]. It is important to only harvest individual side leaves, if the growing tip is harvested the shoot will usually die off[K].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Requires a moist but very free-draining soil of medium fertility and a sunny position. This species is not very hardy outdoors in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about 0°c[260]. It can possibly be grown outdoors in the mildest areas of the country if given the protection of a sunny wall. A short-lived plant, tending to rot in humid conditions[260]. Flowers tend to be white on plants grown in greenhouses, but turn pink on outdoor plants[260].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in mid spring in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c[138]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Links

This plant is also mentioned in the following PFAF articles: Conservatory Plants.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[138] Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.

[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.

[260] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998 ISBN 0-330-37376-5
Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

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