2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Scopolia (Latin Scopolia) Is a genus of herbaceous plants of the Solanaceae family. The genus includes only 6 species. The genus got its name in honor of the Italian-Austrian naturalist Giovanni Antonio Scopolli. Representatives of the genus are most often found in the mountainous regions of Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Poland, Romania and almost the entire territory of the Russian Federation (except for the northern regions).
Common types and their characteristics
* Carniolian scopoly (Latin Scopolia carniolica) - the species is represented by perennial plants with a powerful root system and several stems up to 40-50 cm high (there are species reaching a height of 70-80 cm). Leaves are green, oblong, pointed, alternate, short-petiolate. The flowers are solitary, drooping, sitting on long peduncles formed from the axils of the leaves. The calyx is light green, growing at fruit and tightly enclosing the fruit. The fruit is a spherical capsule with a peculiar lid, filled with a large number of seeds. The species is medicinal, the roots of the plant are considered to be the source of alkaloids such as atropine and scopolamine, which are widely used in medicine.
* Himalayan scopoly (Latin Scopolia stramonifolia) - this species is represented by perennial herbaceous plants with a characteristic well-developed system and stems up to 1.5 m high. It differs from the Carniolian scopoly species in a greenish-yellow calyx, equal in size to the corolla; densely pubescent leaves and stems. The plant is rich in alkaloids - hygrin and hyoscyamine.
* Tangut scopoly (Latin Scopolia tangutica) - the species is represented by perennial plants with a powerful vertical rhizome and stems up to 1, 6 m high. It differs from the previous species by a calyx, the leaf-shaped sepals of which are accreted by 2/3. Scopolia flowers of Tangut purple or light purple color, there are also almost black specimens. The plant also contains alkaloids.
Growing conditions
Scopolia is a moisture-loving plant, therefore, well-moistened, loose, fertile soils are preferable for growing crops. Accepts lowland scopoly, but without cold air stagnation. Shady zones are optimal for plants; it will not be possible to grow plants in open sunny areas, since they have wide mesophytic leaf blades that need some shading. It is not forbidden to plant a crop under trees with an openwork crown, among shrubs and on sparse forest edges.
Growing
Scopolia is grown by seedlings or by sowing seeds in open ground. For seedlings, seeds are sown in seedling boxes in March-April. With the emergence of seedlings, thinning is carried out. In open ground, seedlings are planted in late May - early June, at which time the seedlings should have at least 4-5 true leaves. Under favorable conditions, by the end of the growing season, the plants reach a height of 40-70 cm (depending on the species).
In the future, scopolia can be propagated vegetatively, or rather by dividing the root collar (according to the number of buds on it). This procedure is recommended to be carried out immediately after flowering. Delenki are immediately planted in open ground and watered abundantly. For the first time, young plants are shaded.
Care
Watering is moderate and regular, the soil layer should not dry out and waterlogged. Water volumes and irrigation frequency increase with the arrival of heat. Top dressing is optional, in the spring (shortly before the formation of buds) rotted manure and mineral fertilizers can be added. Scopolia does not need a winter shelter, since it has increased frost-resistant properties. All work with the scopia must be carried out with gloves, since all parts of the plants are poisonous. The culture is resistant to pests and diseases.
Application
Due to the fact that the plant is poisonous, it is rarely grown in home gardens, although it is ideal for decorating shady areas. Scopolia should not be planted in gardens where children are frequent guests. In Russia today, two types of scopolia are grown, but they are used exclusively for medical purposes.
