Common Name:

General Information

Porophyllum linaria is an erect to decumbent annual to perennial plant, usually branching from near the base, growing 10 - 50cm tall[].
The plant is a popular food in Mexico, where it is often harvested from the wild for local use. It is cultivated as a food crop in Mexico, and occasionally elsewhere, and is sold as a vegetable in local markets[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

N. America - central and southern Mexico

Habitat

Grassland, amongst xerophytic scrub, woodland edges, often on calcareous soils; at elevations from 1,200 - 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Porophyllum linaria is a plant of semi-arid, subtropical to tropical climates. It is not tolerant of frost, but can generally be cultivated from the warm temperate zone( with hot summers) to tropical areas.
Requires a sunny position, succeeding in a range of soil types so long as they are well-drained.
A fast-growing plant, it can reach a height of 60cm within 30 - 45 days and can be harvested on a cut and come again basis until cut back by cold weather.
The aromatic oils, which are contained largely in the pores or glands that are especially plentiful on the leaves, produce a strong odour when the foliage is bruised, broken, or heated. Cures, real or fancied, that are attributed to various species of Porophyllum are probably largely due to either the soothing properties of the oils or the imagination by the patient that anything that is so odoriferous must be beneficial[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[]. Used especially as a flavouring.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ

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