MALVACEAE. Annual and perennial herbs resembling miniature hollyhocks. Good in the border, and best in well-drained sandy loam and full sun.
NEW—Sidalcea candida. (100) SIDL-7. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Oz: $12.00
'WHITE CHECKERMALLOW'. Small white flowers with bluish anthers, like miniature hollyhocks to 1" wide, in dense spikes to 2 - 3 feet, in summer. Hardy perennial with lobed 8" glossy leaves. Colorado. Zone 5. Makes nice clumps. Nick, hot water, or prechill. Some germinate in 3 - 4 weeks.
—Sidalcea Hendersonii. (80) SIDL-9. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50, 5 gm: $16.00
'HENDERSON'S CHECKERMALLOW'. Showy deep pink hollyhock-like inch-wide flowers in spikes in early summer. Hardy tap-rooted perennial to 2 to 6 feet, with rounded 6" basal leaves and divided stem-leaves. Pacific Northwest. Zone 7. Nick seed.
—Sidalcea malviflora Purpetta. (c,h) SIDL-16P. Packet: $2.50
Large purple-red miniature hollyhocks with white throats, in dense spikes produced over a long period from July to September. Hardy perennial to 3 - 4 feet, with attractive divided foliage. Zone 5. Good for cutting. Germinates irregularly over 2 - 8 weeks.
—Sidalcea malviflora Rosaly. (c,f) SIDL-16R. Packet: $2.50
Beautiful soft pink miniature hollyhocks with fringed petals, in dense spikes, July to September. Hardy perennial to 4 feet, with attractive divided foliage. Zone 5. Good for cutting. Germinates irregularly over a long period. Prechill may help.
SILPHIUM (SIL-fee-um)
COMPOSITAE. Tall perennials grown for their large, sunflower-like blooms. Long lived and good in most soils, especially heavy ones. Full sun and easily grown. Stately plants for the back border or prairie and wild gardens.
—Silphium perfoliatum. (d,h) SILP-19. Packet: $2.50
'CUP PLANT'. Large yellow 3" wide daisies in clusters from July to September. Hardy perennial to 8 feet, with large, foot-long leaves forming a cup around the stem. S. Dakota to Mississippi. Zone 3. Good to naturalize in rich moist soil, sun or part shade. The thick rootstock is medicinal, considered to be a general restorative. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks warm, often improved by a prechill or GA-3.
SILYBUM (SI-lee-bum or si-LEE-bum)
COMPOSITAE. 'MILK THISTLE'. Striking plants. Sow in fall or spring where they are to grow and thin to 2 feet apart. Sprouts in 1 - 3 weeks. An interesting note: fresh seed will not germinate at warm temperatures, only sprouting at cool temperatures; but after 5 months dry storage (after-ripening) they will germinate well at warm temperatures.
—Silybum Marianum. (b,h) SILY-3. Packet: $2.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED OUT OF STOCK
Oz: $6.00, 1/4 lb: $16.00 OUT OF STOCK
'ST. MARY'S MILKTHISTLE'. Bold and striking rosettes of large glossy, dark green, spiny leaves streaked and marbled with white, followed by 2" wide rose-purple, faintly scented flower-heads on 4 - 6 foot stalks, each head with dramatic reflexed spines. Mediterranean region. Zone 4. Old tradition holds that milk of the Virgin Mary fell upon the plant, causing the white marbling of the leaves. Flowers much visited by bees; later, birds love the seeds. California ranchers claim it loosens hard, compacted soil, and make their own 'clod-buster' from chopped plants soaked in 55 gallon drums of water. Formerly much used as food; the young leaves in salads or boiled, (I've never tried this myself, the spines scare me!) the peeled stalks, the roots like salsify, the young heads eaten like artichokes after cutting off the spines. Was thought to increase milk in nursing women. Since ancient times the seeds have been used as liver medicine, and recently their powerful liver-protective properties have found much use in modern medicine. Experiments have shown it capable of preventing death in dogs from fatal doses of Destroying-Angel mushroom toxins.
Medicinal properties of Silybum species:
http://www.encognitive.com/node/15057
"Besides love and sympathy, animals exhibit other qualities connected with social instincts, which in us would be called moral; and I agree with Agassiz that dogs possess something very like a conscience."—Charles Darwin.
SOLANUM (so-LA-num)
SOLANACEAE. A huge genus of 1400 species, from annuals to trees. Includes important foods (potato, eggplant, etc.), medicines, industrial crops and many ornamentals. Generally easy from seed, germinates in 1 - 3 weeks. Sow hardy types where they are to stand, and tender types early indoors. They are wonderful plants, many very ornamental, but surprisingly little grown. Buy 'em or lose 'em!
Nice collection of photos of Solanum species.
—Solanum aviculare. SOLN-8. Packet: $2.50
'KANGAROO APPLE', 'KOONYANG', 'MAYAKITCH' (aboriginal names). Violet 1" flowers in clusters, followed by 1" yellow berries. Handsome shrub to 5 - 10 feet, with narrow, dark green, foot-long lobed leaves. Australia and N.Z. Zone 9. Often blooms the first year, and is a nice ornamental here in Calif. The leaves and stems are a rich source of the glycoalkaloid solasodine, used in the synthesis of steroids. The fully ripe fruits, after they have fallen, are said to be eaten raw, boiled or baked; if at all unripe they burn the mouth. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks warm.
—Solanum X Burbankii. (b,h) SOLN-9. Packet: $2.00
Gram: $5.00, 10 grams: $20.00
'WONDERBERRY', 'MSOBA'. Deep blue 1/4" fruits with white bloom are sweet and edible, used for tarts, jams, etc. Compact annual to 2 feet. Caused a great controversy when introduced by Luther Burbank. Delicious and productive. Sow on the surface, seed needs light. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.
—Solanum integrifolium. (b,h) SOLN-30. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $15.00
Click for photo »
'RUFFLED RED EGGPLANT', TOMATO-EGGPLANT', or 'HMONG EGGPLANT'. Orange-red 1 - 3" ribbed fruits valued fresh or dried in flower arranging. Spiny annual to 8 feet. Tropics. Used in SE Asian cooking. Sometimes called 'mini-pumpkins' in the flower-trade. Germinates readily in 2 - 3 weeks warm.
—Solanum pyracanthum. (150) SOLN-66. Packet: $3.00
5 grams: $19.00
Photos and Info
'PORCUPINE TOMATO'. Blue-violet inch-wide flowers in summer, on a very spiny shrub to 2 - 8 feet. Rusty orange stems and striking blue-green toothed leaves with wicked rusty-orange spines along the midrib. Madagascar. Grow as an annual. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks. The fruits are said to explode when ripe, scattering seeds and juice up to 9 feet away.
—Solanum Seaforthianum. (d,h) SOLN-72. Packet: $2.50
'GLORIA', 'JAZMIN DE ITALIA'. Large star-shaped inch-wide lilac flowers in large pendulous clusters, followed by clustered orange-red half-inch fruits. Slender somewhat woody climber to 20 feet, with pinnate leaves. Brazil. Zone 9. Nice in the greenhouse. Germinates in 2 - 8 weeks at warm temperatures.
NEW—Solanum sisymbriifolium. (100) SOLN-78. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50
Showy annual with white or pale blue 1 1/2" flowers followed by 3/4 - 1" bright red berries. Handsome pinnately-lobed leaves. Tropical America. "Splendid for flowering in pots... extraordinarily free flowering..."—Booth. Medicinal in Paraguay, and the berries are edible. Germinates in 2 - 16 weeks.
NEW—Solanum uporo 'Black Stem'. (50) SOLN-89B. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50
'CANNIBAL'S TOMATO', 'PORO PORO'. White flowers followed by red, tomato-like fruits. Shrub to 5 feet, with spiny black stems. Tahiti and Fiji. The fruits are eaten, and allegedly made the best sauce for cannibal cookery. Leaves eaten as a potherb, but mildly toxic. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks or so. Photo of green stem form: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenbuchan/3956242956/
SOPHORA (so-FOR-a or SOF-or-a)
LEGUMINOSAE. Wide-ranging and showy ornamental mostly woody plants with clustered pea-like flowers and handsome pinnate foliage. Best in well-drained soil, and most stand drought well.
—Sophora secundiflora. (10,h) SOPH-6. Packet: $3.00
1/4 lb: $16.00 (about 140 seed), lb: $40.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
'MESCAL BEAN', 'TEXAS MOUNTAIN LAUREL', 'FRIJOLITO'. Beautiful fragrant violet-blue inch-long flowers in dense 3" clusters covering the plant in spring. Handsome evergreen shrub to 4 - 6 feet, rarely a tree to 40 feet, with shining dark green pinnate foliage. Silvery grey 1 - 8" pods with bright red seeds. Texas to New Mexico. Can stand a good freeze—Zone 8. Well-drained soil. The poisonous seeds are used as beads and ceremonially by Plains Indians, and are powdered for insecticide. Nick seed to germinate in 1 - 4 weeks or so.
SPHAERALCEA (sfeer-AL-see-a)
MALVACEAE. Ornamental shrubs and herbs of arid regions of the Americas. Grown for their often showy flowers. Good outdoors in warm regions. Some are fairly hardy and others good in the greenhouse. Nicking the seed may help germination.
—Sphaeralcea ambigua. (a,g) SPHA-4. Packet: $2.00
5 grams: $6.00
'DESERT GLOBEMALLOW'. Bright orange-red 1 - 2 1/2" flowers in clusters, with conspicuous yellow stamens. March to June. Perennial to 3 feet, with greyish three-lobed 1 - 2 1/2" leaves. Utah to southern California. Spectacular and drought resistant, hardy to at least Zone 4. Nick or hot water to germinate in 2 - 3 weeks warm.
SPILANTHES (spi-LAN-theez)
COMPOSITAE. Tropical creeping herbs with yellow or white daisy-like flowers on long stalks.
—Spilanthes acmella (=Acmella oleracea). (c,h) SPIL-4. Packet: $2.00
Gram: $7.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
'TOOTHACHE PLANT', 'PARA CRESS'. Abundant red-tipped yellow clover-like flowers on a sub-tropical creeper with pointed triangular leaves. Tropics. Zone 4. The young leaves are added to salads, soups, or steamed with rice. They stimulate the saliva and cause numbness and tingling, so they are chewed for toothache. Anti-viral and anti-fungal. Used as a flavor-enhancer. Germinates in a week.
"So the universe would be a very great book, and we would be very small readers."—U. K. LeGuin.
STACHYS (STAY-kis or STA-kees)
LABIATAE. Widespread perennials and annuals adapted to varied conditions, from dry to wet. Tubular, often hooded flowers in whorls, and often aromatic foliage. Some are medicinal.
—Stachys byzantina (=S. lanata). (c,h) STAC-7. Packet: $2.00
5 grams: $9.00
'LAMB'S EARS'. Deep pink flowers and densely white woolly, soft, silvery foliage. Hardy perennial to 2 feet. Persia. Zone 4. Valuable bedding plant, doing well in poor soil. Formerly classed as S. olympica. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks at warm temperatures.
—Stachys officinalis (=Betonica). (b,v) STAC-14. Packet: $2.50
'WOOD BETONY'. Very rich purple 1/2" flowers in dense whorls and spikes. Hardy perennial to 3 feet, with 3 - 6" leaves. Europe, Middle East. Zone 4. Good ornamental, formerly much cultivated for medicinal use. Highly regarded for many ailments, and believed effective against 'devils and despair'. The tea is a fine beverage and was formerly valued against persistent headaches. "Sell your coat and buy Betony."—Old Italian proverb. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
STEPHANOTIS (ste-fa-NO-tis)
ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tropical climbers and shrubs grown for their beautiful flowers. Popular in the greenhouse and outdoors in the South. Feed while growing. Germinates in 2 - 13 weeks, warm.
—Stephanotis floribunda. (10) STEP-9. Packet: $3.00
'MADAGASCAR JASMINE'. Very sweetly scented 1 - 2" waxy white trumpet shaped flowers in long-lasting clusters from April to October. Twining evergreen climber to 10 - 15 feet, with glossy dark green leaves. Madagascar. Zone 10. A popular greenhouse plant. The flowers are traditionally used in wedding bouquets. Germinates in 2 - 8 weeks, some up to 16.
STETSONIA (stet-son-EE-a)
CACTACEAE. A single species.
NEW—Stetsonia coryne. (25) STET-4. Packet: $2.50
Flower photo: http://www.photomazza.com/?Stetsonia-coryne
Whole cactus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stetsonia_coryne_-_Desert_Botanical_Garden.jpg (copyright free image by Dave Pape)
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/64119/
http://cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus=Stetsonia
Big ones in a dry forest in Paraguay: http://www.flickr.com/photos/karinadiarte/4819634084/
'TOOTHPICK CACTUS'. Large tree cactus to 30 feet, with a broad crown of thick branches with 6" spines. White-tipped pinkish flowers at night. N.W. Argentina. Zone 8. The 2" fruits are eaten. Use GA-3 to germinate.
STIPA (STEE-pa or STY-pa)
GRAMINEAE. 'FEATHER GRASS'. Attractive perennial grasses native of plains, savannas and steppes throughout the world. Grown for ornament, forage, and restoration, they include some of our finest native bunchgrasses, and are assets in any garden. Many kinds are best grown from aged seed, germination increasing after a year in storage. Two weeks cold may help germination of fresh seed. Most sprout in 5 - 30 days. Seed and plants long lived. Sow in spring or early fall. Smoke treatment may help germination.
NEW—Stipa spartea. (20) STIP-28. Packet: $2.50
'PORCUPINE GRASS'. Graceful nodding 8" panicles with dark seeds with long awns. Hardy perennial bunchgrass to 3 - 4 feet. North central U.S. Zone 3. Prechill, then plant singly, point down.
Time-lapse video of the awns twisting! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fF5adE4Q30
STROPHOSTYLES (stro-fo-stee-leez)
LEGUMINOSAE. Attractive twiners and trailers. Related to Phaseolus and Vigna.
—Strophostyles umbellata. STRS-24. Packet: $2.50
'PINK WILD BEAN'. Pink 3/4" flowers fading to tan or orange, followed by 2" pods. Hardy perennial vine, blooming heavily in late August and September. E. U.S. Zone 6. Fairly drought-tolerant. Lightly nick seed to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
SUTHERLANDIA (su-ther-LAN-dee-a)
LEGUMINOSAE. Showy and easy South African shrubs.
—Sutherlandia frutescens. (10) SUTH-9. Packet: $3.00
'DUCK PLANT', 'BALLOON PEA', 'CANCER BUSH'. Showy scarlet inch-long flowers in nodding clusters in June, followed by silvery inflated 2" pods. Nice upright shrub to 3 feet, with downy shoots and feathery foliage. South Africa. Zone 9. Children float the pods on water to resemble ducks. Start early indoors for bloom the first year. Used medicinally for a wide variety of ailments, including HIV and cancer. Scratch seed to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
Sutherlandia frutescens cultivation in Kenya and use against AIDS and as an adaptogen.
SYMPHYOTRICHUM: See Aster novae-angliae
SYNANDROSPADIX (si-nan-dro-SPA-dix)
ARACEAE. A single species.
—Synandrospadix vermitoxicus. (5) SYND-4. Packet: $10.00
Click for photo »
Photo and cultural info.
Good Photo.
Many Photos.
Large attractive spathes are green streaked white on the outside and purple streaked white on the inside, to 3 - 4" long. Large blue-green ovate leaves up to 12" long and 10" wide, with white veins. North Argentina and Bolivia. Full sun, water when leaves appear, and rest dry during dormancy. Tuber forms deep in the soil. For best germination, soak seed 24 hours in tepid water, then carefully remove the spongy skin. Keep warm (80°F) until germination. The tubers were used as a pesticide.
SYRINGA (si-RIN-ja)
OLEACEAE. Showy deciduous Eurasian flowering shrubs and small trees.
NEW—Syringa Josikaea. (100) SYRI-12. Packet: $2.50
'HUNGARIAN LILAC'. Fragrant deep blue-violet flowers in 4 - 6" clusters in summer. Hardy shrub to 12 feet, with glossy dark green 5" leaves. Mountains of eastern Europe. Zone 4 or 5.
NEW—Syringa Wolfii. (50) SYRI-36. Packet: $2.50
Fragrant pale mauve 1/2" flowers in dense, foot-long panicles in summer. Hardy shrub to 15 - 20 feet, with bright green 6" leaves. Manchuria and Korea. Zone 4. Germinates in 3 - 5 weeks warm.