Home › Growing Techniques › Article

A Complete Guide to Crown Vetch Planting Considerations

Growing Techniques 0 views
First, when planting crown vetch, we must pay attention to promoting germination. The germination rate of crown vetch is about 40% to 90%, which is highly variable, so before sowing we should take certain artificial measures to help it germinate. For a small amount of seed, soaking in 15% sulfuric acid for half an hour is sufficient.

First, when planting crown vetch, we must pay attention to promoting germination. The germination rate of crown vetch is about 40% to 90%, which is highly variable, so before sowing we should take certain artificial measures to help it germinate. For a small amount of seed, soaking in 15% sulfuric acid for half an hour is sufficient, while for large amounts of seed, a rice mill is generally used to scarify the seed coat before sowing.

Considerations for Propagating Crown Vetch by Seed

Crown vetch has brightly colored flowers and has been cultivated in China for more than ten years; it is a relatively widely used ornamental flower. Crown vetch grows vigorously and has strong adaptability, so it is loved by many flower enthusiasts. Crown vetch can be propagated artificially by sowing seed. The editor will now introduce the considerations for propagating crown vetch by seed.


Crown Vetch

The seeding rate is 0.5-1 kg per mu, and it can be sown in spring, summer and autumn. Crown vetch seeds are small and are sown shallowly, so the soil should be finely prepared before sowing. The hard seed rate is as high as 70-80%, so seed treatment must be carried out before sowing. For a small amount of seed, soak in 15% sulfuric acid for 20-30 minutes before sowing, or soak in warm water at 70-80°C, let it cool naturally, and sow after soaking for about 12-15 hours. For large amounts of seed, a rice mill is generally used to break the seed coat before sowing. The germination rate is generally 40-90%, and some hard seeds will not sprout until the second year. Seedlings grow slowly, so weeds must be removed in time; once establishment is successful, it can suppress weed growth.

How to Grow and Care for Coronilla varia (Crown Vetch)

Chinese scientific name: Xiuxiao Xiaoguanhua (Coronilla varia)

Latin scientific name: Coronilla varia L.

Also known as: Duobian Xiaoguanhua (Variable Crown Vetch)

Kingdom: Plantae

Family: Fabaceae (LEGUMINOSAE)

Genus: Coronilla Linn.

Species: Coronilla varia

Distribution: Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. In China: Jilin, Liaoning

Perennial herb, stems erect, stout, much branched, spreading, 50-100 cm tall. Stems and branchlets cylindrical, with ridges, pith white, sparsely covered with white short pubescence when young, later becoming glabrous. Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. Cultivated in southern Northeast China.

1. Plant Introduction

Coronilla varia (Northeast Plant Identification Key) Plate 60: 1-7
Coronilla varia Linn. Sp. Pl. 743. 1753; Miura, Fl. Maneh. East. Mong. 216. 1926; Gorsch. in Kom. Fl. URSS 13: 252. 1948; Ball. in Tutin et al Fl. Europ. 2: 183. 1968; Flora Herbaceae Chinae Boreali-Orientalis 5: 128. Plate 56, Figures 8-14. 1976.
Perennial herb, stems erect, stout, much branched, spreading, 50-100 cm tall. Stems and branchlets cylindrical, with ridges, pith white, sparsely covered with white short pubescence when young, later becoming glabrous. Odd-pinnate compound leaves with 11-17 (-25) leaflets; stipules small, membranous, lanceolate, 3 mm long, free, glabrous; petiole short, about 5 mm long, glabrous; leaflets thinly papery, elliptic or oblong, 15-25 mm long, 4-8 mm wide, apex with a short mucro, base nearly rounded, glabrous on both surfaces; lateral veins 4-5 per side, visible, veinlets inconspicuous; stipels small; petiolules about 1 mm long, glabrous; umbels axillary, 5-6 cm long, shorter than the leaves; peduncle about 5 cm long, sparsely bearing small prickles, flowers 5-10 (20), densely arranged in a hydrangea-like head, bracts 2, lanceolate, persistent; pedicels short; bracteoles 2, lanceolate, persistent; calyx membranous, calyx teeth shorter than the calyx tube; corolla purple, pale red or white, with distinct purple stripes, 8-12 mm long, standard petal nearly orbicular, wing petals nearly oblong; keel petal apex beaked, beak purplish black, curved inward. Pod slender cylindrical, slightly flattened, with 4 angles, apex with a persistent beaked style, pod segments about 1.5 cm long, each segment with 1 seed; seeds oblong-obovate, smooth, yellow-brown, about 3 mm long, about 1 mm wide, hilum 0.7 mm long. Flowering June-July, fruiting August-September. Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. Cultivated in southern Northeast China.
This species has purple-red, showy flowers and can be used as an ornamental plant; besides being grown for viewing, it can also be used medicinally.

2. Medicinal Information

[Medicinal name]: Xiuxiao Xiaoguanhua (Coronilla varia)

[Source]: The flowers of Coronilla varia, a dicotyledonous medicinal plant in the Fabaceae family.
[Effects]: Strengthens the heart and promotes diuresis.
[Main indications]: Used for palpitations, heart fluttering, shortness of breath, and edema.
[Nature, flavor and meridian entry]: Bitter, cold. Heart meridian.
[Usage and dosage]: Oral: decocted in water, 0.3-0.6 g.
[Distribution of plant and animal resources]: Distributed in Jilin, Liaoning.
[Latin name]: Xiuxiao Xiaoguanhua Coronilla varia L.
[Verification]: First recorded in the Northeast Plant Identification Key.
[Chemical constituents of the traditional Chinese medicine]: The seeds contain cardiac glycosides such as coronillin, and also coronoside (coronicide).

Related Articles