Tolpis

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Tolpis (lat. Tolpis) - herbaceous annual or perennial from the Asteraceae family.

Description

Tolpis is a herbaceous plant endowed with serrated pinnate or whole leaves, which can be both basal and located in the lower parts of the stems. The length of these leaves often exceeds ten centimeters. By the way, tolpis stalks cannot boast of high strength, so sometimes you have to put supports in order to tie the stalks on them.

Tolpis inflorescences form fancy baskets, and its reed flowers are painted in white or yellow tones. They are usually quite small and tubular. Their leaves are narrow, and the wrappers are multi-row. The marginal petals of tolpis are light yellow in color, and the center of these flowers consists of brownish-reddish tubular petals. Each inflorescence is surrounded by a small bedspread, formed by narrow and rather long bristly leaves - a very peculiar needle-like "frill" is obtained. And the diameter of flowers rarely exceeds five centimeters. As for the flowering period, it usually lasts until the end of September, while it starts roughly in mid-June.

Tolpis flowers look especially attractive in the early morning - each flower is in a hurry to fully open up to the first rays of the sun.

Ribbed cylindrical achenes are equipped with tufts of extremely thin bristles in the amount of eight to ten pieces. And the fruits of tolpis are usually ovoid and elongated. When ripe, they turn to rich dark red shades.

In general, the genus tolpis includes about two dozen varieties. But as for the origin of such an interesting name, it has not been clarified to this day.

Where grows

Tolpis grows mainly in the Mediterranean - this is its homeland. In addition, this plant can often be found in the Azores or the Canary Islands.

Usage

Tolpis is ideal for creating luxurious Moorish lawns as well as colorful and vibrant summer gardens. It can also be used for landscaping the southern slopes and slopes. In addition, tolpis will look great as part of small bouquets - these beautiful flowers can not lose their freshness for a very long time.

Growing and caring

Tolpis feels best on moderately fertile soils with a sufficient amount of lime and in areas well-lit by the sun. It boasts decent drought resistance and cold resistance, but it cannot stand strong winds and excessive waterlogging and is afraid.

Tolpis does not require any special care, however, in especially dry periods it must be watered regularly.

Reproduction of tolpis occurs mainly by seeds (self-seeding is quite possible). At the same time, seed germination can be maintained for four years. To obtain seedlings, seeds are sown in greenhouses (most often this is done in March), and already on the eighth to tenth day, the first shoots begin to appear. You can sow seeds directly into the open ground, but this should be done not earlier than April. Subsequently, the seedlings of the plant must be thinned out, leaving a distance of fifteen to twenty centimeters between them.