Characteristic features of the plant, recommendations for gardening antiglue, how to reproduce zygadenus, difficulties in the growing process and ways to overcome them, curious notes, types. Anticlea is also found under the name Zigadenus and belongs to the Liliaceae family, although there are species that are included in the Melanthiaceae. It includes representatives of the flora with one cotyledon in the embryo. Basically, all plants of the genus (there are up to 25 units) grow on the territory of the North American continent, in Siberia or on the Japanese islands.
| Family name | Liliaceae or Milantium |
| Life cycle | Perennial |
| Growth features | Herbaceous |
| Reproduction | Seed and vegetative (planting bulbs or dividing the rhizome) |
| Landing period in open ground | Spring |
| Disembarkation scheme | At a distance of 20 cm |
| Substrate | Rich in organic matter, fertile, loamy or sandy loam |
| Illumination | Penumbra |
| Moisture indicators | Moderate |
| Special Requirements | Unpretentious, winter-hardy |
| Plant height | 0.3 to 1.2 m |
| Color of flowers | Whitish yellow or whitish green |
| Type of flowers, inflorescences | Racemose or paniculate |
| Flowering time | Summer |
| Decorative time | Spring-summer |
| Place of application | Can be used for cutting, as borders and decoration of rocky gardens, alpine hills |
| USDA zone | 3, 4, 5 |
The plant bears its name thanks to the translation from the Greek language of the phrase, which means "a pair of nectar glands", which is a reflection of the Anticlea flower.
The root system of such perennials has the form of a bulb, the surface of which is wrapped in a film shell. Growth form - herbaceous. If the variety of zygadenus is tall, then its stems can reach almost 1.2 m, while the parameters of low-growing species are at the mark of 0.3 m. The foliage is divided into two types: basal or stem. The color of the leaf plates is a rich green color, while there is a waxy bloom of a whitish tone, which makes them bluish-green. Those leaves that are at the bottom are collected in a leaf rosette located in the root zone. Their length is almost 20 cm, outlines are narrowed, such leaves are devoid of petioles. The foliage that forms on the stems is quite rare and there is not much of it. The size of the stem leaves is much smaller, the shape is oval-elongated, the petioles are short.
The flowering process occurs in the summer. Flowering stems in height can vary from 30 cm to a meter. In this case, the inflorescence has the shape of a brush or panicle. Small flowers are collected in it (only 2 cm in diameter), and the petals have a yellowish-whitish or whitish-green color scheme. Such inflorescences are mainly located in the upper part of the stem, which can cover up to 30 cm.
The form of the perianth is in the form of a funnel, it is made up of three pairs of lobes, which differ in splicing in the lower part or almost to the middle. The genus has the difference that at the base of each petal and sepal there is a greenish gland with heart-shaped outlines. In the center of the flower, the stamens of a whitish-green tone are clearly visible, protruding outward. When the end of flowering approaches, the anthers on them take on a bright yellow color. Flowers have no smell. The inflorescences remain on the plant for a long time. The same applies to leaf plates - they do not wrinkle and do not begin to die off, but continue to serve as an adornment for antikla until frost.
When the flowering is completed, the peduncles do not die off or dry out, continuing to give the plant a showiness. After flowering, fruits ripen, which have the appearance of a box. It is composed of three faces. Seeds of a light brown color are formed inside the fruit.
Although there are many types of zygadenus in the genus, it is customary to use only a few of them in the culture. It is recommended to use it for filling gaps between stones, as creating borders, in group plantings, near water bodies or in large flower beds, in mixborders. Since the flowers are small and not particularly bright, but the foliage is distinguished by a rich color scheme, it is good to plant roses, carnations or gladioli nearby.
Recommendations for planting and caring for anti-glue outdoors
- Choosing a landing site. The plant most of all likes a place in partial shade, if the flower bed is under the openwork foliage of trees. But there is information that Anticlea can grow in a sunny area or in full shade, only in this case its growth rate will decrease even more, and the flowering will not be so violent. Direct sunlight will also not be able to severely damage the zygadenus, since their surface is covered with a wax-like plaque. But it is important to remember that transplants have a very negative effect on this representative of the flora and therefore the place must be chosen carefully. If you often disturb the root system of the antiklea, then the bush will simply die.
- Content temperature. The plant is so unassuming in this respect that it perfectly gets used to the air heat indicators in any region. True, if there is a strong heat, he will need frequent watering. The frost-resistant qualities of zigadenus are also striking, since it can survive frosts up to 40 degrees without harm to itself.
- Landing Anticlea. It is important to organize high-quality drainage - a layer of crushed brick, pebbles or expanded clay is laid in the hole on the bottom. Since the diameter of the leaf rosette reaches more or less 40 cm, it is better to leave 20-30 cm between the seedlings. So growing, the plant will not interfere with a friend and a beautiful group planting can be organized from them.
- Watering. Zigadenus is distinguished by its love of moist soil, so it is recommended to make sure that it does not dry out. This is especially true on summer days, when there is no natural precipitation for a long time. The maximum allowable drying can be up to five days. Even if the plant receives more moisture, but drainage was organized during planting, then it will not suffer in any way. It is important to remember that the gulf of antiglue will immediately provoke decay, therefore it is recommended to direct the stream of water directly under the leaf outlet, trying to prevent water drops from falling on the leaves.
- Soil selection. Anticlea will feel good when it is planted in a fertile substrate that has not only nutritional value, but also a large number of trace elements. Therefore, the soil is used loamy or sandy loam, with neutral indicators of acidity - pH 6, 1–7, 4. If the soil is scarce, then the plant will never reach the declared values in height. But if there is no way out, then it is necessary to add humus or compost to the soil mixture when planting, and then regularly feeds with organic matter.
- Fertilizers for antiglue are introduced with the beginning of the activation of the growing season. It is recommended to use complex mineral preparations. In this case, the dosage indicated on the pack is not violated. You can also use organic matter.
- General advice on care. Since the plant is winter-hardy, it is possible not to use a shelter for the winter.
How to breed zygadenus in the garden?
This exotic representative of the handicap can be propagated by sowing seeds, planting bulbs or dividing a bush.
For seed propagation, it is recommended to collect the bolls and extract the seed from them. This is because seed germination drops very quickly. Then they are kept in a cool place until spring or are immediately sown in a peat-sandy substrate, laid in seedling boxes for growing seedlings. In this case, they will not need stratification. The seed germination rate is very low. Therefore, you will have to take care of an empty container with soil for a long time. It is important not to disturb the seedlings so that they are in complete rest.
When young anteklei appear, they are allowed to grow stronger and grow, so that 3-4 real leaf plates unfold on them. Then a pick is performed - the seedlings are planted in separate pots (it is better to use those made of peat). During transplantation, it was noticed that the growth rate of zygadenus seedlings drops very much, and some specimens may die altogether. It is recommended to keep the seedlings in a cool room for the first year, so that they will survive the winter.
If there is a need to take out containers with seedlings to the open air, then the containers are dropped into the soil, and then mulching is performed - dry fallen leaves or straw are laid on top, so that such a layer is about 5 cm. Only with the arrival of spring can Anticlea be transplanted permanently place in the garden. Such plants will delight with flowering after 3-4 years. However, it is worth remembering that this method of reproduction gives positive results for experienced gardeners, since it requires adherence to many conditions.
If you want to use the plant as a home culture, then after "wintering" you can transplant the seedlings into more spacious pots. When the bush has grown too much, then it can be divided with the arrival of spring time or when the flowering ends. Delenders should not be made too small so that they can adapt faster. So each part should contain 3-4 bulbs and try to preserve the root processes that connect them to the maximum. Since the roots are very fragile and sensitive, it is recommended to separate them by hand, refusing to use a garden tool (for example, a pruner), a knife or scissors. The distance at which the antiglue parts are planted should not exceed 20 cm. Until the delenki take root, it is recommended to water them abundantly.
When buying bulbs, you should carefully inspect them so as not to miss signs of rot. The surface of the material is also examined. The bulb film should not bear traces of damage, be dense. Disembarkation is carried out at a chosen place in the garden with the arrival of spring.
Difficulties in the process of growing antiglue and ways to overcome them
Since the entire aerial part of the zygadenus is very poisonous, it is not of interest to harmful insects. But the biggest nuisance is rotting of the bulbs if the weather is very humid or the owner has overdone it with watering. This can quickly lead to the death of such an exotic.
It is noted that when growing Anticlea, you should not expect a rapid build-up of a root rosette. Also, during transplantation, a strong deepening of the seedlings will be a problem, since the root collar will quickly begin to rot. When planted in a flower bed that is too brightly lit, flowering becomes scarce, since direct sunlight will negatively affect the laying of buds.
Curious notes and photos of the zygadenus
In the myths of Ancient Greece, Anticlea was the name of the daughter of Autolycus, who was also the granddaughter of the god Hermes. According to legend, she was the companion of the goddess of the hunt Artemis. And also in honor of this mythical character in 1907, an asteroid was named.
Important! Since any part of the zygadenus is poisonous, it is recommended to wear gloves when working with the plant, and after finishing work, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. And although all parts of the plant are poisonous, since antiquity, healers knew about the medicinal properties of antiklea. The plant contains many active substances with the presence of potent alkaloids. In this regard, preparations made on the basis of zygadenus have a laxative and emetic effect, but there is also a property to soothe and reduce the activity of internal and external parasites (to expel hair and pubic lice).
The aerial part of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. So such remedies have long been used to eliminate the symptoms of neuralgia and radiculitis, they were able to alleviate, if an ointment was prepared on their basis, pain in the joints with rheumatism. There is information that such tinctures, due to their toxicity, are even used to combat parasites in animals, you can harass cockroaches in the house or treat plant pests.
However, due to the fact that the zygadenus bulbs are very similar to the same parts of the onions and the Camassia bulb, a plant assigned to the Asparagaceae family and may well be edible, many American settlers suffered, not counting the numerous victims among the indigenous Indian population. …
Types of antiglue
- Anticlea graceful (Anticlea elegans). This variety is the most popular in floriculture. The height of the stems can vary from 15 cm to almost 1 m. The roots are narrowed, oblong bulbs, which are tightly connected with the help of rhizomes. Leaf plates, as a rule, grow in the form of a bundle, their length can be 60 cm with a width of about 1.5 cm. On the stem itself, there are rather small reduced leaves, which are characterized by rigidity and a greenish-bluish color. Their surface is covered with a waxy coating and multiple veins appear on it. Flowering begins with the arrival of summer. A tall peduncle is crowned with a racemose inflorescence of flowers with yellowish-green petals. Flowers have a scent. In nature, the plant prefers to grow in groups, while its distribution areas are stretched from the lands of Alaska to North American areas, withstands harsh winters.
- Anticlea nuttallii (Anticlea nuttallii). This species is less tall, its parameters can be up to 60 cm maximum. The leaf plates have a fold along the central vein. The width of the leaves is almost 2 cm, their surface with a bluish bloom. When flowering, flowers of a whitish or greenish-white color are collected in a paniculate inflorescence, the diameter of which is measured 1, 2 cm. The buds begin to bloom with the arrival of summer.
- Siberian anticlea (Anticlea sibirica). A plant of this species can reach 80 cm in height - these are the parameters of a thin upright stem. The length of the foliage can be 20 cm, with a width of 1 cm. Moreover, there is a narrowing to the top, then the width becomes only 0.5 cm. The leaves are concentrated in the root zone. The bracts are dark purple in color. Flowers with snow-white petals, when opened, can be measured in diameter of only 1 cm. They are collected in a panicle inflorescence. The flowering process takes all the summer months. After flowering, seed-filled capsules ripen. The territory of natural distribution falls on the mountain ranges on the lands of Russia and Northern Japan. The plant also prefers the banks of waterways, forest slopes and forests with coniferous trees. It is used in local medicine to relieve pain in neuralgia and rheumatism, as well as an antiparasitic agent. In agriculture, it is used to control insects and pests.
- Anticlea Fremontii. Prefers to grow naturally in forests in the United States. The shape of the bulbs is ovoid, in diameter, their size can leave almost 4 cm. Leafy platinum in length approaches 0.5 m, with an average width of about 3 cm. Through the foliage, an ornamental bush is formed, which begins to bloom violently with the arrival of summer time. On the peduncle, you can count up to 80 buds, which are larger in diameter than the flowers of other varieties - almost 2.5 cm. The petals in the flowers are cast in bright yellow color.
