Straight Or Branched Hedgehog

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

Recently, modern gardeners and gardeners have had a need to create on their personal plot not only beds and flower beds, but also reservoirs. The landscape immediately transforms when a water body appears on it. Water is a special natural element and home to some species of coastal and aquatic plants. To make your garden pond look natural, plant special plants. An example of such a plant is a simple headhead. But do not overdo it, excessive vegetation distracts attention from the reservoir

The common hedgehog is also popularly called the barnyard, the flatbread or the nyunka. It grows rapidly, so it is recommended not to plant it near small artificial ponds. This perennial plant will delight you with graceful leaves and round inflorescences with white thorns.

Botanical description

The hedgehog belongs to the coastal herbaceous plants of the only monotypic genus of the flowering family. Under natural conditions, the hedgehog grows along the swampy banks of ponds, rivers, swamps. The branchy erect stem of the headworm grows half submerged in water. The leaves of the plant are narrow, long, resembling a triangle in shape, and have a brightly protruding midrib. Light green leaves form rough thickets and decks on the surface of the water. It is advisable to plant the bedhead among other aquatic plants that will protect its delicate leaves from gusts of wind. The rhizome of the plant is creeping, represented by two types of roots. One root of the plant holds on to the bottom, while other roots develop in deep water, absorbing nutrients from it.

It is not for nothing that the hedgehog got such a name. The capitate seedlings are similar to hedgehogs coiled into balls. Nondescript small flowers are collected in spherical heads, which form one common inflorescence - the cob. The plant has male and female inflorescences - heads, due to this, cross-pollination of plants is ensured. In June - August, the headwort blooms, but with prolonged flooding, it stops blooming, developing thin ribbon-like leaves.

The fruit is yellow or brown drupes with spongy pulp, which are collected in heads. The plant is attractive during fruiting.

The fruits of the headgear are filled with air, so they stick well to the surface of the water. Falling into the water, the fruits do not sink for a long time and, like floats, stay on it. Driven by the wind, they float in the pond until they land on the shore and germinate.

Planting and leaving

If the reservoir is without waterproofing, then the plant is planted along the shore of the reservoir and in shallow water immediately into the ground 10 - 12 cm below the water level, preferring illuminated areas.

For an artificial pond or stream, it is possible to use plastic containers. Choose heavy, clayey soil that contains little organic matter. Be sure to cover the surface of the potting soil with fine gravel. Remember that the headhead is an original plant that forms picturesque thickets and is suitable for large bodies of water.

Beneficial features

The hedgehog has a number of properties that are used in traditional medicine. This plant includes vitamin C, tannins, alkaloids, saponins and a large amount of macro- and microelements. The hedgehog is used to strengthen immunity, vasoconstriction, it has pronounced pharmacological properties, and is low-toxic. It is recommended to use a simple head restraint as a pain reliever and sedative. As a medicinal plant, it can be used to normalize the function of the gastrointestinal tract, in the treatment of liver tumors, to lower blood pressure. A headless snake will also help with bites of poisonous snakes.

The hedgehog in oriental medicine is indicated for the treatment of the female reproductive system. It is used for pain during menstruation, for resorption of seals in the abdomen, relieves uterine bleeding. In nursing mothers, this aquatic plant stimulates lactation, it is contraindicated for pregnant women. Usually, a decoction from the roots of the headhead is used. Healthy tea is made from dried root powder at the rate of 3 g per one glass of boiling water. Insist the broth for 15 minutes, remove the sediment, take warm.