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Datasheet: Silene undulata

1. NOMENCLATURE

Synonyms: Silene capensis, Melandrium undulatum ^{[wiki en 15.12.2015]}
Common Names (xhosa names): ubulawu obumhlope, unozitholana, iinkomo yentaba and undlela ziimhlophe ^{[wiki ger 15.12.2015]}

2. DESCRIPTION

Plant Type: biennial to short lived perennial ^{[wiki en 15.12.2015]}
Morphology: up to 60 cm height

3. DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY

Geographical Distribution: Native to the Eastern Cape of South Africa and Zimbabwe. ^{[wiki en 15.12.2015][wiki ger 15.12.2015]}
Native Habitat: open forest and grassland with higher rainfalls ^{[wiki ger 15.12.2015]}
Hardiness and Environmental Requirements: persistent, cold hardy >-12°C ^{[rühlemanns]}


4. CULTIVATION, PROPAGATION AND CYCLE

Cultivation: In cultivation, S. undulata is an easily grown, but moisture hungry herb. It is tolerant of extreme heat, >40 °C (104 °F), and moderate cold, −5 °C (23 °F). A moisture retentive seedbed is essential. The fragrant flowers open at night and close in the day. The root can be harvested after the second year. ^{[wiki en 15.12.2015]}
Seed Notes: black 1,2 × 1 mm kidneyshaped ^{[wiki ger 15.12.2015]}
Seed Germination Notes: Germinate easily without any sort of pre-treatment. They may take some time to sprout though. Silene capensis seeds should be sown at a depth of 1/16″ (~0,159 cm) in fertile, well-drained soil. Compost works well. Moisten the soil well and keep it moist either by misting or covering the container. Keep the silene capensis seeds at a temperature of about 70-75 degrees (21.111-23.889 °C). Silene Capensis likes a lot of water, but good drainage is essential for avoiding root rot. Be sure to provide adequate room for root growth. Your dream herb plants can be brought indoors in the winter in cooler climates. However, we have had silene capensis plants survive snow. Trimming the tops will promote root growth. ^{[worldseedsupply]}

5. PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS

Documented properties: Silene undulata is regarded by the Xhosa people as a sacred plant. Its root is traditionally used to induce vivid (and according to the Xhosa, prophetic) lucid dreams during the initiation process of shamans. ^{[wiki en 15.12.2015]}
Parts of the plant with therapeutic/psychoactive value: roots

6. REFERENCES AND CITATIONS

sts:
picture from munnharpe: http://sharetheseeds.me/forum/index.php?topic=339.msg7822#msg7822
seed collection: http://sharetheseeds.me/forum/index.php?topic=3090.msg24597#msg24597
External Sources:
[wiki en 15.12.2015] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silene_undulata
[wiki ger 15.12.2015] https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silene_undulata
[worldseedsupply] http://www.worldseedsupply.com/product/silene-capensis-african-dream-root-seeds/
[rühlemanns] http://www.kraeuter-und-duftpflanzen.de/Botanisch/Silene/Afrikanische-Traumwurzel-Saatgut
External Pictures:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silene_undulata#/media/File:Silcap.jpg