Lobelia, Great Blue          (Great Blue Lobelia)   (Lobelia siphilitica)

Family: Lobeliaceae

Herbaceous perennial.  Rivals in its beauty the most pampered of hybrids, yet it is a long-lived, native American perennial.  I've seen them growing wild in Meigs County, Ohio, in a moist, semi-shaded ditch.  Among the Fox, the finely-chopped roots were shared and eaten by a couple to avert divorce and renew love. 

 Lobelias prefer part to full sun, rich, moist soil, much water.  Short-lived seed.  Light-dependent germinators.  Sow seed in spring or fall.  Average germ time in warm soils is 1 to 3 weeks.  Water very gently.  Space plants 2 feet apart.  Flowers vibrant light blue to 2 feet. 

Lobelia, Official   (Lobelia inflata)

Family: Lobeliaceae

(Indian Tobacco)

Lomatium dissectum syn. Leptotaenia multifida/dissecta

Lomatium dissectum (Syn. Leptotaenia multifida/dissecta)

Family: Apiaceae

Wild, celery-like herbaceous perennial  native to the Great Basin and other drylands of the West.  In nature, Lomatium grows on sunny slopes in rocky soil.  Sow in outdoor nursery bed in the fall or midwinter.  Expect germination in cold soil in spring.  Naturally low germ rate. Plant 1 foot apart.  Grows to 3 feet tall.

This is our most important indigenous, antiviral herb from the American Pacific Northwest; works where other antivirals fall short.  The root is the part used.

30 seeds/pkt $3.95, Open Pollinated

Please note:  Since many people are thinking that Lomatium is the best protection from "Avian Flu" and other newsworthy threats of pandemic influenza, then I thought to add a little more information on Lomatium history and using Lomatium in therapy.  Probably our strongest native antiviral herb. During the last pandemic, first nations peoples were smart enough to use the fresh or dried root of Lomatium and survived unharmed while white folks who didn't know about lomatium did not survive. In therapy, lomatium is best to use with a liver/urinary stimulant such as dandelion to help avoid lomatium rash side effect. The lomatium rash side effect is a bothersome proliferation of raised red spots, not itchy, that usually appears on the torso, and lasts sometimes as long as three weeks after discontinuing use of the herb. When lomatium is taken along with dandelion and at recommended dosage, then this rash rarely occurrs. Meanwhile, even while the rash is doing its thing, the viral load in the blood is wiped clean...

Another note:  Actually, I'm a little more excited about Baical Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) for treatment of pandemic diseases.  My experience is that the root of this plant, which has been used in Chinese medicine for a very long time as the herb Huang-qin, is extremely effective for treating contagious flu-like maladies.  There is really no better anti-infection agent in herbalism, to my knowledge.  The herb is more effective if grown in poor, sandy soil.  Added advantages of Huang-qin over Lomatium are 1) lack of side-effects, 2) quick to germinate and easily grown throughout the temperate US 4) prettier 5) and can be harvested in the fall of first or second year 6) no side effects.

LOTUS SET
Family: Nympheaeceae
Hardiness:  American is hardy to -50 degrees F, Komarovii is hardy to -43 degrees F,  and the Sacred Lotuses are best protected from frost, although they will overwinter sometimes if the mud at the bottom of the pond does not freeze.
Aquatic perennials with floating lily-pad leaves and large, waxy, ornamental, deeply perfumed flowers.  Big frog protectors.  All parts of the plant are used medicinally.  The seed is demulcent and nutritive.  The flowers are cooling and sedative.  The root is also a demulcent.  The leaves are made into an astringent poultice.    Prefers sunlight and warmth for germination.  Before dropping in water, you must scarify the rounder end of the seed until the white endosperm is just exposed.  Sow anytime indoors by dropping into a gallon jar or aquarium left in a light window.  Or, in the spring or summer (or anytime in the tropics), toss the scarified seeds into a pond, or bury in the watery muck at the bottom of the pond.  Germinates at room temperature in 3 to 7 days. This set consists of one packet each of American (Nelumbo lutea), Komarovian (Nelumbo nucifera komarovii), Sacred red (Nelumbo nucifera) and Sacred white (Nelumbo nucifera), $14.90/4 packets

American Lotus (Yanquapin) (Nelumbo lutea)
Water plant native to the Eastern US and Canada and hardy to - 50 degrees F.  Ponds that do not freeze on the bottom are probably more likely to sustain good populations of this plant through the winter, but it is nonetheless extremely cold hardy, especially in comparison to its Asian counterpart (Nelumbo nucifera).  This is the largest native american wildflower, with leaves that reach to 2 feet and large yellow flowers on tall stalks that rise handsomely above the water surface.  Plant prefers still, shallow water with a mud bottom.  Scarify through the tough seedcoat with sandpaper, then lodge the seed in the mud at the bottom of the pond, or use the windowsill method.  The windowsill method involves putting 4 inches of loam in a gallon jar, filling it with water, putting the scarified seeds in the mud, and leaving the jar in the sunshine.  The seeds are amazing to watch as they germinate.  Once lily pads form, you can transplant the small plants to a pond, where they can be spaced about 3 feet apart. 

7 seeds per packet $4.95, open pollinated

Lotus, Komarovian (Nelumbo nucifera komarovii)
Family:  Lotus (Nymphaeaceae)
Hardiness:  -43 degrees F (plant requires 110 days of above freezing temperatures and shows vegetative growth on or above the water surface for a growing period of 140 days.)
Perennial water plant, native to N E Russia.  The flower color is variable, from white to pink to red.  This is by far the most northern hardy of the true lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) and is given its own subspecies name (Komarovii) which helps differentiate it from the tropical lotuses, which it fully resembles in every aspect except its ability to withstand frigid waters.  Sometimes you will see this plant listed as Nelumbo komarovii, although this is probably not taxonomically correct.  It is very difficult to obtain this seed and this is a unique offering.  To sprout the seeds, rub through the seedcoat with sandpaper until the white endosperm is just exposed.  Then drop seed in a gallon jar of water in a light windowsill. When water becomes cloudy, replace it with clear water.  It is really good to replace the water daily, in fact, but if you forget, or have to go to the coast for the weekend, or to a conference on poodle grooming, then its not that big a deal--let it ride--the seeds will be fine. Germination is within 2 weeks. After the seedling produces its first lily pads, transplant to the pond.  Make sure the roots are firmly anchored in the mud at the bottom of the pond.  If the lily pad ends up under the surface of the water, it is probably not a problem.  New pads will be sent out and will reach the surface.  Have fun with these lotuses.  We've searched for a source for about a decade and finally have them.  We're glad you can now play with them, too.   They are rare, unusual, vital, and choice.  7 seeds/pkt., Open Pollinated

Lotus, Sacred Red (Sacred Water Lily) (Nelumbo nucifera) (red lotus)

These seeds are from China.  High viability and impressive germination.  Scarify seed by rubbing through seedcoat with a file or sandpaper until the white endosperm is exposed.  Drop seed into a gallon jar of water in a light window, or drop into the pond in the summer.  Miniature lily pads unfold within a few days and take residence on the surface of the water.  In areas where the pond does not freeze, these will naturalize and bloom dark red in the second year.
Open Pollinated 7 seeds/pkt.

Sacred Lotus  (Sacred Water Lily) (Nelumbo nucifera)  (white lotus)

These seeds are from India.  High viability and impressive germination.  Scarify seed by rubbing through seedcoat with a file or sandpaper until the white endosperm is exposed.  Drop seed into a gallon jar of water in a light window, or drop into the pond in the summer.  Miniature lily pads unfold within a few days and take residence on the surface of the water.  In areas where the pond does not freeze, these will naturalize and bloom mightily in the second year.
Open Pollinated 7 seeds/pkt.

Nigella, Neon (Nigella damascena)
Annual.  This is a horizon herbs selection, which we've been working up for half a decade of so.  The photo really tells its own story, but basically this is the most royal purple Nigella we've seen, and they come true from seed.
100 seeds/pkt, Organic

Maca, Red (Lepidium peruvianum) (Maca rojo)  (Lepidum meyenii)
Family:  Cruciferae
Biennial, radish-like, rosette forming plant native to the high Peruvian Puna.  This is a high elevation cultivar that is considered to be medicinally superior to other strains.   Sow the seed on the surface of the seed bed, stir it around with your fingers, then tamp in securely.  Plant prefers fall, winter and spring conditions for growth.  Full sun and a fast-draining soil is preferred. Maca likes a somewhat alkaline soil, such as decomposed granite or volcanic soils.  Composted manures are a good fertilizer for MACA.  Thin to 6 inch spacing, and harvest after the first year of growth.  Best to direct-seed in September and harvest in May or so, but if your winters are very snowy I don't think this will probably work.  Here in Williams we get very little snow, and the plant grows through the winter, which is preferred, as it encourages bulbing (the hypocotyl).  If left in the field for 2 years, the root will become quite woody and the plant will go to seed.  Probably the best regions for growing maca are high steppes in tropical or subtropical countries.  The plant is very tolerant of high intensity sunlight and withstands drastic temperature fluctuations. The first photo is of a seedling that was direct-seeded outdoors.  The new seed is extremely viable and vigorous, giving over 90% germination in 6 days.  Open Pollinated 100 seeds/pkt.

(Yellow Maca)
(Syn. Lepidum meyenii)
Family:  Mustard (Brassicaceae)
Hardy to all temperate zones.
Biennial, radish-like, rosette forming plant native to the high Peruvian Puna.  This is a select cultivar that gives high yields of firm, yellow roots and demonstrates a tolerance for low elevation. Sow the seed on the surface of the seed bed, stir it around with your fingers, then tamp in securely.  Germination is in 4 days at 65 degrees F soil temperature.  Plant prefers fall, winter and spring conditions for growth.  Full sun and a fast-draining soil is preferred. Maca likes a somewhat alkaline soil, such as decomposed granite or volcanic soils.  Composted manures are a good fertilizer for MACA.  Thin to 6 inch spacing, and harvest after the first year of growth.  Best to direct-seed in September and harvest in May or so, but if your winters are very snowy I don't think this will probably work.  Here in Williams we get very little snow, and the plant grows through the winter, which is preferred, as it encourages bulbing (the hypocotyl).  If left in the field for 2 years, the root will become quite woody and the plant will go to seed.  Probably the best regions for growing maca are high steppes in tropical or subtropical countries.  The plant is very tolerant of high intensity sunlight and withstands drastic temperature fluctuations. The first photo is of a seedling that was direct-seeded outdoors.  The second photo is a germ test.  New seed tests at 86% germ.  100 seeds/pkt., Open Pollinated

Madder  (Rubia tinctorum)

Family: Rubiaceae

Climbing evergreen perennial native to the Mediterranean and southern Europe .  Hardy to -5 degreees F.  The plant is a classic element of the Medieval garden, completely unique, wending its way along the ground or draping on fence or trellis.  The yellow, star-like flowers are produced in the second year after which the roots may be dug.  Madder root contains the anthraquinone pigment alizarin, which is responsible for its popularity as a fine red dyeplant.  (The English “red coats” owed their visability to this plant!)  The root is also employed medicinally for treating urinary gravel, dropsy, amenorrhoea and jaundice.  Plant prefers regular garden soil and full sun.  Sow seed in fall or spring.  Easy

20 seeds/pkt $3.95, organic

Ma-huang  (Ma huang) (Ephedra sinica)
Family: Ephedraceae
Hardiness:  to - 40 degrees F.
Perennial, primitive shrub. Native to the steppes of north and northwestern China. Rare offering of the main official species. Does well in pots.  Dried stem is a natural adrenergic stimulant to the central nervous system and a bronchodilator for treating colds and asthma. The whole herb, dried and used in small doses, poses no threat to the health. However, the very young, the very old, and the pregnant mother would best avoid using this stimulating herb. Ma-huang prefers full sun and dry, sandy soils. Seed planting and germination:  The seed is easy to germinate in a warm, sandy medium. Strew the seed on surface of very sandy potting soil (50% sand) and barely cover with more of the same potting soil.  Tamp securely and keep evenly moist until germination, which in the greenhouse or under propagation lights should take about 11 days.  If you are trying to do this outside in the garden it might take longer, as cold nights will prolong germination times.  Basically you want to provide as much control as possible (ie plant in flats, not in the garden dirt) because the seedlings are small and you need to work them up to about 4 inches before transplanting.  After germination, back off on the watering because the young seedlings can easily damp off--this is a desert plant.  We grow the plants in a sand mulch, about 4 inches thick, in the full sun, with moderate watering. They create, in 2 or 3 years, a stubby, woody trunk bristling with the jointed stems. The flower is inconspicuous, but the fruits are quite fascinating--fleshy scales adhered together at the end of the branch, colored orange, gooey and mucilagenous, and very sweet to the taste, containing the paired seeds with their flattened sides lightly clasped together. Cold hardy.
Open Pollinated 50 seeds/pkt.

Please note:  We have newly harvested Ma-huang seed available in bulk.  Give us a call at (541) 846-6704

Note on germination:  Seed gave 80% germination in 11 days at 65 degrees F.  RAC

More notes:  There's a reason why Ephedra sinica is the official herb used for making the Chinese medicine Ma-huang.  It has high concentrations of the various Ephedrine alkaloids and it has them in the naturally balanced state.  Its a whole herb, and can be used in the form of the dried "stems" as a tea.  The tea is used as a bronchial dilator--very helpful for asthmatics, and like coffee, gently stimulating to the CNS (central nervous system).  Its not dangerous when used at reasonable dosage (a cup or two) as an herbal tea.   When the Ephedrine is concentrated (made into a drug, no longer an herb) then it can certainly be dangerous.  We're suggesting using the herb in the traditional manner, at reasonable dosage, not as a white powdered concentrate that can overstimulate the heart! 
In any form, Ma-huang is not a good herb to use if you are pregnant, nursing, very young, very old, or with a preexisting heart condition.  Prudence is recommended!  Other sources of Ma-huang also contain alot of Ephedrine alkaloids.  In general, Ephedra sinica has a higher total alkaloid content than the other species.  Ephedra equisitina is higher in Ephedrine than pseudoephedrine.  Ephedra intermedia is higher in pseudoephedrine than ephedrine.  Ephedrine levels may vary according to how old the plants are, where they are grown, when the seed is harvested, how the herb is processes, whether the nodes are used or not, how long the dried herb has been stored, etc. etc.  Our plants are starters only.  You can't make a useable quantity of dried herb off of them because they are too small--the plants need to be planted out in a good situation and grown out for a couple of years before they get big enough to harvest.