Leptocarpha Rivularis

Description

This extremely rare and protected plant makes lengthy displays of sizeable, bright-yellow, sunburst flowers on a quite sizeable but also compact, almost shrubby plant. Coming from only a small area of Southern Chile within the protected "Monkey-Puzzle-Tree" forests (Araucania Region), it is possibly not yet in cultivation, and these valuable seeds have been grown for us in a private garden in Southern Chile. A rarely seen native plant, it was used effectively ancestrally by Mapuche people to treat gastrointestinal ailments. Medicinally, it has been proven that flower extracts are rich in molecules with therapeutic potential, including the sesquiterpene lactone leptocarpin, which displays cytotoxic effects against various cancer types in vitro. Modern medical research has shown that the combination of active molecules in these extracts could offer a hitherto unexplored potential for targeting cancer, adenocarcinoma cells, and hypoglycemia, these properties being associated with the presence of bioactive compounds. Scientifically, identified biologically active metabolites are produced in aqueous extracts of leaves and stems of this plant, highlighting sesquiterpenes and flavonoids. Terpenes, flavonoids, and alkaloids are secondary metabolites of plants, which contribute to multiple biological activities; their consumption in the diet helps in the prevention of degenerative disease.

Sowing Advice

Sow immediately at any time onto preferably a soil-based compost, covering with fine grit to approximately their own depth. Germination MAY be quicker if kept at 15 to 20 degrees C. but many seeds WILL NOT come up the year they are sown, needing winter chilling after sowing, and ONLY come up with natural spring germination.

Key Facts