2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Monochoria (lat. Monochoria) - a genus of coastal plants belonging to the Pontederiev family. The homeland is considered to be East and South Asia. In nature, representatives of the genus are widespread in the northeast and southeast of Africa, in Asia, in the north of Australia. One view can be captured in the United States and Canada. In Russia, in their natural environment, they are found in the Primorsky Territory.
Characteristics of culture
Monochoria is represented by annuals and perennials, endowed with creeping or erect stems and creeping, most often with a short rhizome. The botanical peculiarity lies in the fact that the stems turn into shortened or, conversely, elongated petioles. The foliage is ovoid or heart-shaped, and there are also species that carry lanceolate foliage.
The flowers are small, blue in color, collected in apical racemes, often resembling umbrellas. An inflorescence is formed from the sheath of the leaf. Fruits are represented by oblong, polyspermous, three-celled, triangular egg-shaped capsules. The beginning and duration of flowering varies for all species, but usually occurs in late June - early July and ends closer to autumn.
Known species
The most common type is considered
monochoria Korsakov (lat. Monochoria korsakowii Regel et Maack) … The species is characterized by a straight or ascending stem no more than 60 cm long. It bears a cordate, pointed, petiolar, basal foliage, which is characterized by a membranous sheath. The stem foliage, in turn, is endowed with swollen sheaths and is 2-3 times less in length than the basal foliage.
The flowers of Korsakov's monochoria have a deep blue color, the lobes do not exceed 2 cm in length. The middle of the lobes is decorated with a yellow stripe. Flowering begins in the first or second decade of July and ends in the first decade of September. The species is used to decorate coastal areas. Especially popular in the southern regions of the Russian Federation. Monochoria Korsakov is a perennial, for the winter it is transplanted into pots and brought into the room.
Also, gardeners are interested in
plantain monochoria (lat. Monochoria plantaginea) … This species is represented by plants with creeping, less often ascending stems, which bear lanceolate pointed foliage. The flowers are small, blue. Less attractive view than Korsakov's monochoria. However, the considered representative of the genus is endowed with medicinal properties. The aerial part of the plant is used for the complex treatment of bronchial asthma, as well as erysipelas (erysipelas), manifested by reddening of the skin area, most often on the face.
Growing features
If growing monochoria as a perennial, planting seeds is best done in a small, water-resistant container filled with nutritious, loose soil. It is permissible to lower the pot to a depth of no more than 30 cm. It is important to remember that all types of monochoria are extremely demanding on lighting. To achieve an active and long-lasting flowering, it is recommended to plant plants in sunny areas. The thick shadow is destructive.
