Cephalophora — original annuals to flavor drinks and pastries Bashny.Net

The plant in question, called cephalophora fragrant (lat. Cephalophora aromatica). It belongs to the Asteraceae family origin is South American. Occasionally you may hear other names: strawberry grass and holophonic aromatic. Because the plant is an annual, it can grow not only at the latitude of Moscow, to the North.

All aboveground parts of zealotry contain essential oils with a pleasant aroma. Some people argue that it smells like pineapple, while others assert — strawberries, and some say caramel. Indisputable remains the fact that the use of this plant in cookery, perfumery and medicine. For these purposes, in some countries, strawberry herb cultivated on a commercial scale.

In addition to the essential oil in inflorescences, leaves and stems of zealotry contains vitamins B1, B2, C and useful minerals. The extract of aerial parts of this plant are used for flavoring baked goods, processed cheeses, cocktails, etc. In dried form is used in the production of wines and soft drinks, added to teas.





Cephalophora goes well with plants with blue flowers

What is cephalophoraThis annual plant forms a nice Bush with a height of 35-60 cm Root system is pivotal, branching from the base, penetrating to a greater depth. The leaves are lanceolate, alternate, moderately pubescent, with small notches or without edges. The flowers (or rather buds) are formed on the ends of the shoots have the shape of a ball with diameter less than 1 cm, their color exclusively yellow. Seeds (or more precisely achenes) are very small, dark-brown, elongated. Formed in each inflorescence more than a hundred.

Blooming cephalophora after 2.5 months after emergence of seeds. In the flowering period lasting for over two months, looks unusually attractive. Each inflorescence lasts about a month. By the way, strawberry grass excellent dried flowers.

Cephalophora suitable for growing in containers

The cultivation and careof Cephalophora unpretentious, grows on any soil, but breathable and nutritious forms a more decorative bushes. Prefers bright place in the shadow of the sky, and looks unsightly.

Strawberry grass can grow seedlings or direct sowing into the ground. Seeds at 8 °C germinate within 7-9 days, and at higher temperatures even faster. Seedlings are afraid of frost, and grown plants they are not terrible. The optimum time for planting seedlings — all of April, in the ground beginning of may.

Seeds zealotry small, but despite this, sowing should be at a depth of 0.5 cm In each well is desirable to put 3 seed. With abundant seedlings needed thinning. Adult plants feel good if between them more than 30 cm, otherwise the stalks are interwoven, decorative reduced, the harvest is more complicated.

When the seedling cultivation young plants are planted in the ground, without destroying the earth coma, around the age of one month. In this embodiment, after cutting, cephalophora can have time to grow and re-bloom, so it is possible to re-harvest the crop.

Special care strawberry grass requires. Drought bravely and thanks to tap root system. To irrigation and fertilization with complex fertilizers react positively. Pests usually are not interested in disease affected rarely. With one plant you can collect a lot of seeds (ripe in August). Maintained their viability for up to 5 years.

Harvesting and storage harvestas soon As the inflorescence zealotry will turn yellow, you can begin to harvest. Cut plants is advisable during dry weather, preferably in the morning as soon as dew dries. Drying should be under cover. The ready indicator plants are brittle stems. Store preferably in paper bags. Use to flavor pastries and drinks in smaller quantities, otherwise you may feel bitterness. published

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Source: 101dizain.ru