Elicriso Italico (liquirizia)

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Helicrisium

Species

italicum

Description

A bushy aromatic herbaceous perennial appreciated in the culinary and phytotherapeutic as well as ornamental spheres for its silvery foliage, with an intense aroma and flavour reminiscent of liquorice or curry, and for its flowers which are, as outlined by the same generic epithet deriving from the Greek 'helios' and 'chrysos', luminous with golden reflections and united in characteristic flower heads.

Rustic, it adapts well to climates with hot, dry summers while also tolerating significant temperature drops.

Versatile in use, it can be cultivated in flowerbeds or open fields, but also in pots and tubs, ensuring full sun exposure and watering without waterlogging.

Variety description

It is a very hardy plant that lends itself to cultivation even in particularly hostile climates. It has excellent resistance to both dryness and drastic drops in temperature. Flowering, which occurs in the summer, is particularly showy thanks to the numerous inflorescences consisting of yellow flowers. Thanks also to this aspect, the plant is also widely used for strictly ornamental purposes. The uses are manifold and the plant is currently much appreciated for the good quantity of essential oils produced.

Curiosities and special features

The leaves or dried flowering sprigs of helichrysum are used in the kitchen to flavour meat or fish dishes as well as soups and risottos, giving them a sensory accent reminiscent of curry.

The plant's use in phytotherapy dates back to Greco-Roman times. In particular, the essential oil obtained from the flowering tops has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and cicatrizing properties as well as being recommended as an expectorant for the respiratory tract and used in cosmetics for creams and perfumes.

Origin and distribution

A species native to southern Europe and north-west Africa; in Italy the wild form can grow wild in warm habitats in the south and on islands along sunny rocky slopes and coastal areas.

Leaf

The tomentose leaves have filiform, linear lamina.

Fruit

The leaf contains no seeds and has a weight of G with a tender texture. It is unscented, while the flavour is aromatic and sweetish with an intense aroma and a delicate taste. The colouring is uniform. The ripening period is from spring to summer. The skin is not edible. Variety with good organoleptic characteristics.

Flowering period

The luxuriant flowering lasts from early to mid-summer for 25 to 30 days, creating dense, golden patches of significant ornamental value.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence head typical of Species belonging to the botanical Family of Compositae.

Leaf colour

Unicolour shades.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.2 to 0.5 m, perfect in ornamental settings as a first-level plant in compositions with other species.

Lifespan

Perennial cycle plant.

Where to plant

Versatile in use, it is cultivated as a bedding plant , large pots, open field, outdoor tubs

Stem

The stem is woody, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

It is arranged in medium-sized flower heads. It flowers from early to mid-summer, with a flowering period of 25 to 30 days. It is attractive to bees.

Growth

The variety shows determined growth reaching a specific height.

Plant habit

The habit is typically bushy with dense foliage.

Branching

The branching is on the whole average.

PH

For helichrysum, the ideal soil pH is between 6.5 and 7.5, i.e. varying from slightly acidic to neutral.

Soil preparation

For spring transplanting, it is advisable to carry out light digging 20/30 cm deep, eliminating any weeds, residues from previous crops and bulky stones, then bury organic or chemical slow-release fertiliser and work the clods further by breaking them up with a hoe, finally levelling the surface carefully; to improve drainage of excess water, preventing water stagnation, first carry out a slight bending of the soil, thus creating a raised bed where the seedlings will be transplanted according to a suitable planting pattern.

During the cultivation cycle, continue to remove weeds near the plant to prevent them from hindering the growth of the helichrysum itself.

Sun exposure

Prefer exposures in full sun, sheltered from the wind.

Ideal climate and temperature

Theideal temperature is between 18 and 27 °C. It adapts well to hot summer climates and has excellent resistance to drought as well as to major temperature drops, remaining viable down to - 15 °C.

Use

Appreciated and cultivated at all levels of experience for a wide range of uses including:

Agribusiness Medicinal / phytotherapeutic Ornamental Aromatics

Hardiness

A variety of medium hardiness, it adapts well to hot and dry climates as long as it is grown in soil free of waterlogging.

Soil

The ideal soil for a suitable vegetative growth of the helichrysum plant is medium-textured or sandy, well draining and free of waterlogging; for use in pots or tubs, a horticultural soil with a blond and brown peat base is recommended.

Difficulty

A plant with low cultivation requirements, fairly easy to grow and with a low level of management effort required.

Growing tips

For optimum vegetative growth with high foliage density we indicate some useful cultivation measures:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Planting

For transplanting in flowerbeds or open fields, in order to ensure proper space for adequate growth, a planting density of 6 plants per square metre is recommended; ensure that each individual specimen is taken out of its container without damaging the roots, transplanting it with the vegetative apex outside the soil surface and avoiding sinking the root ball completely.

Pruning

During the spring-summer period, harvest by a clean cut with clean, sharp blades at the desired height.

Propagation

Multiplication can be by head division, from cuttings or by sowing in the open field or in containers.

Repotting

Repotting in late spring if the plant shows stunted growth with poor root development, making sure to use a larger container and a suitable growing medium.

Watering

The plant's water requirements are low, but it is important to ensure a regular water supply, especially in the spring-summer period. Use rainwater, alternatively canal or aqueduct water with an optimal alkaline pH, either by hand or by drip irrigation or sub-irrigation.

Irrigate immediately after transplanting and assist the plant which, in the new site, may be more exposed to water stress, preventing the root ball from drying out but at the same time not exceeding the quantities applied, thus preventing asphyxia and root rot; then allow the soil to dry slightly between one irrigation and the next, keeping it slightly damp; it is advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant during the afternoon/evening and to irrigate after the foliage has been harvested.

For eventual sowing, moisten the seed to allow it to germinate, and after it has been completely buried and covered with a layer of substrate and inert material, keep the soil wet until the sprout emerges.

Fertilising

Carry out a background fertilisation with organo-mineral fertiliser during pre-transplant soil preparation.

Subsequently, we recommend a water-soluble fertiliser to be diluted and distributed according to suitable dosages and frequencies in the irrigation water, depending on the plant's demand and the availability of the elements in the soil in the different phases of the production cycle, increasing the frequency of distribution during the plant's maximum growth period.

For a continuous production level over time, a constant supply of maintenance fertiliser will be necessary, always by means of fertirrigation.

Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity for pets not known, avoid administration.

Edibility for humans

The leaves, taken in suitable quantities, are edible.

Toxicity for humans

The leaves do not cause ingestion toxicity if taken in non-excessive amounts; consider the specific case.

The essential oil may be toxic and irritating to the skin in high doses; consider case in point.

Tip

In order to have an excellent production of essential oil, it will be important to harvest all the aerial part by mowing at the time of full flowering; or to harvest only the flowers for a higher value end product.