Lakonos (Phytolacca) is a perennial plant from the Lakonosovye family, which includes about 30 species. In our climatic latitudes, the most common American Lakonos or Phytolacca. Certain types of perennial flowering plants are also found in North America, Europe and Asia.
In natural conditions, the flower is a tall thicket of spreading stems and wide leaves, bears fruit in cobs, which are formed on the tops of the shoots. Due to its ability to survive even under unfavorable circumstances, its noble decorative structure and medicinal properties, the lakonos stands out in the garden area and in the park area.
Lakonos: description of the plant
The stems of the young lakonos grow rapidly in length and tend to branch out. The height of the bushes, as a rule, reaches several meters. The rhizome looks like a rod with a thickened base. The surface of the root layers is covered with a light, settling skin. Bushes start branching from the very bottom. The color of the shoots is dark green, sometimes red. Petiolar massive leaf blades are located in opposite order. The foliage is ovoid, less often lanceolate. The plates are leathery to the touch. Their length is often 40 cm.
All summer and the first month of autumn, on the tops of the shoots and shoots, large inflorescences bloom, about 10-30 cm in size. The brushes are directed upwards and are formed from bisexual buds. The inflorescences are white or pink in color. The rim length is approximately 5 mm.
At the end of the season, juicy purple berry clusters ripen, which are distinguished by a ribbed structure. Each berry contains a kidney-shaped seed that is covered with black skin. When the sun's rays touch the bunch of berries, the fruits shine and shimmer.
Be careful! Lakonos is considered a poisonous plant. Its fruits and other parts, when ingested or in contact with the skin, can cause intoxication of the body and provoke the occurrence of seizures. It is extremely important to care for the cultivated species of pikeperchief with protective gloves. The flower should be planted away from places where children or animals often run. Ripe fruits are less toxic than green berries, but they are also not edible.
Growing lakonos
Lakonos is grown by seed. Seeds are scattered on the soil surface before winter and covered with a thin layer of earth. When, with the onset of spring, the seedlings show their heads, they thin out the crops. The development and growth of young plants is quite active at first, but the flowering of the culture can only be achieved after a couple of years. Abundant budding is expected in matured biennial and three-year-old varieties of lakonos.
After two years of life, the flower is transplanted in one place. Since the tap rhizome goes deep into the soil, it is recommended to keep a clod of earth when transplanting the lakonos.
Planting and caring for a lakonos
Planting and caring for a lakonos is within the power of even a novice gardener.A semi-shaded area is selected for the plant, where there are no drafts and there is a coolness even in the sultry heat. In the summer, during the midday sun, the foliage suffers from high temperatures and can get burned, and, conversely, in the dark hidden corners of the garden, the bushes will be less branched and tight. The optimal place for growing lakonos is considered to be an area where the sun's rays are shown early in the morning and at sunset
Before planting the lakonos, the soil is thoroughly loosened and enriched with humus. For the normal development and care of the lakonos, a soil with a neutral or slightly acidic environment is suitable. Since the basal layers are able to grow in different directions, it is difficult to get rid of the perennial overgrowth. This property must be taken into account when choosing the location of the culture, take into account the preferences of a number of neighboring flowers and herbs.
Removal of weeds around the lakonos is required only for biennial and 3-year-old specimens. Subsequently, the bushes increase in volume and inhibit the growth of any weed vegetation.
Phytolacca prefers a humid environment, so the roots need abundant and regular watering. Drought periods worsen the condition of the perennial and lead to wilting of greenery. It is important that water seeps through the soil, but does not collect on the surface. Lush tall bushes of lakonos are periodically fed. In September, the site is fertilized with mineral complexes, and in winter, nutrients will come from a layer of deciduous rotted mulch, which also feeds the roots. At the peak of flowering, the lakonos are re-fertilized with mineral fertilizers.
Before the arrival of cold weather, all vegetation that rises above the ground must be pruned. The soil around the main shoot is sprinkled with peat, spruce branches or foliage. The thickness of the mulch should be about 10 cm. The crop can withstand temperatures as low as -15 ° C.
The medicinal properties of the lakonos
The lakonos plant is prized for its medicinal properties. The tissues of the roots, shoots, leaves contain many biological components used for medical purposes, in particular in the direction of homeopathy. The main substances include alkaloids, which are used as medications for skin diseases. In addition, saponins were found in leaf blades and underground layers. Berries and seeds are rich in ascorbic acid, PP and B vitamins.
Medicines produced with lakonos additives have a lot of useful properties. They are taken for kidney disease and sciatica. These drugs lower blood pressure levels. Decoctions and tinctures on alcohol from phytolacca cause an anthelmintic, laxative, diuretic and expectorant effect. Hot herbal compresses are applied to the skin rashes. In addition, alcoholic tinctures help relieve pain and inflammation in arthritis.
Internal use of medicinal tinctures is also allowed. They are used in the treatment of otitis media, laryngitis and tonsillitis. A positive result is observed after a short time, if you drink 5-10 drops of this tincture every day.
Doctors warn that, as mentioned earlier, perennial and preparations based on it are poisonous in case of overdose. The body's reaction to departure is intestinal upset, seizures, headache, shortness of breath and heart rhythm problems. You can perform any resuscitation measures if you were able to consult with a specialist.
Application of berries
The properties of the lakonos have found their application in another area, far from medicine. We are talking about the use of phytolacca as a natural dye for woolen and other types of fabrics. Translated from ancient Greek, grass means "varnish" or "paint".
When preserving vegetables and berries, a small amount of pokemon berries will not do much harm.They will give a unique tart taste to homemade products and a pink color. For the same purpose, berries are added to wine. Due to heat treatment, parts of the plant lose their toxic properties. In some countries, local residents have adapted to use boiled shoots and leaves for food. Flowering brushes have expressive melliferous qualities. The honey collected by bees is considered healthy and tasty. It helps to strengthen the immune system and cure colds.
Lakonos in landscape design
The wide, branched stems of the lakonos, strewn with large leaf blades, cannot be overlooked in the garden. This herbaceous perennial stands out from the rest of the vegetation, ennobles the territory and is able to make an excellent company with other gardeners. Lakonos bushes can be placed both separately along the perimeter of the site, and next to paths or gazebos.
