Plant of the Month for February, 2013
(mor-IN-uh lon-jee-FOH-lee-uh)
General Information:
Morina longifolia is a rare perennial from the Himalayas. The genus Morina is named in honour of a French nurseryman Rene Morin who has the distinction of issuing the first seed catalogue in 1621.
Morina longifolia; photo by Robert Pavlis
This plant produces very interesting flowers that open white and then turn pink once they are pollinated. They appear in mid-summer on an elongating flower stem that reaches about 20 cm in length. The glossy leaves form a rosette near the ground and look very much like a Canada Thistle. This resemblance is so strong that I’ve pulled out seedlings by mistake.
Stroking the leaves will produce a strong tangerine perfume that is quite unique. Since the flowers are pollinated by moths, this fragrance is probably stronger at night.
Morina longifolia; photo by Robert Pavlis
When grown from seed it can take anywhere from 2 to 4 years to flower depending on culture. Morina longifolia is a long lived perennial provided that it is not grown too wet in winter. Mine have been growing for 4 years in a dry, clay, zone 5, garden.
Life Cycle: perennial
Height: 60-90cm (2-3 ft)
Bloom Time: mid-summer
Natural Range: Himalayas (Kashmir to Bhutan)
Habitat: Open slopes, 3 – 4,000 m
Synonyms: none.
Cultivation:
Light: full sun, can take some shade
Soil: loam or sandy soil, that is dry in winter
Water: average moisturein summer, dry in winter
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5- 9
Propagation: seed, root cuttings, does not divide or transplant well due to a large tap root
Seedex availability (ORG&HPS annual Seed Exchange): occasionally