Bongardia | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
Order: | Ranunculales |
Family: | Berberidaceae |
Genus: |
Bongardia C.A.Mey. |
Binomial name | |
Bongardia chrysogonum Spach 1839 not Boiss.1867 |
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Type species | |
Bongardia rauwolfii (syn of B. chrysogonum) C.A.Mey. |
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Synonyms | |
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Bongardia is a group of plants in the Berberidaceae described as a genus in 1831. There is only one known species, Bongardia chrysogonum, is native to North Africa, Greece, and the Middle East as far east as Pakistan.
It is a tuberous, herbaceous plant with a large rounded tuber and attractive pinnate leaves. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). This rare and striking plant is native to rocky, montane slopes and cultivated fields where summers are dry and winters are spent under snow. It is named for Gustav Heinrich von Bongard (1786–1839), a German botanist, professor at St. Petersburg Imperial University. Leaves and root are edible.
The plants grow well in sandy well-drained soil in full sun. A porous soil and year-round protection from excessive wet are needed, drought can be tolerated. It requires hot dry conditions in summer. Propagate from seed.