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Rhexia virginica - L.

Common Name Deer Grass, Handsome Harry
Family Melastomataceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Peat, wet sands and gravels to 700 metres[43]. Usually found in moist acid sandy soils[200].
Range Eastern N. America - Maine to Ontario, south to Florida, Missouri and Louisiana.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Rhexia virginica Deer Grass, Handsome Harry


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Choess
Rhexia virginica Deer Grass, Handsome Harry
James H. Miller @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / James H. Miller and Karl V. Miller. 2005. Forest plants of the southeast and their wildlife uses. University of Georgia Press., Athens.

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Rhexia virginica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root
Edible Uses: Drink

Leaves - raw or cooked[105]. A sweetish slightly acid taste[106, 183, K]. It makes a pleasant salad[183]. Roots - raw. They can be chopped and added to salads or used as a pleasant nut-like nibble[183]. A sour drink is made from the leaves and stems[257].

References   More on Edible Uses

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.
Miscellany

A tea made from the leaves and stems is used as a throat cleaner[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Miscellany

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a moist but freely draining neutral or acid peaty soil[200]. Incorporate sand or grit into the soil if necessary at planting time[200]. Grows well in a bog garden[200]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is tuberous with swollen potato-like roots [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 10 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold greenhouse or frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring[K]. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

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Links / References

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Subject : Rhexia virginica  
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