Skirret

Sium sisarum

Native to:
Afghanistan, Bulgaria, China, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, North Caucasus, Romania, Russia, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Apiaceae
Genus:
Sium
Species:
Sium sisarum
USDA Symbol:
SISI4

Growth Characteristics

Height:
150 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug
Bloom Colors:
white

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, beneficial insects

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, moisture-retentive loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Prefers wetland or marshy conditions in native habitat

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
Germination Time:
14–42 days
Notes:
Seeds may have erratic germination; often propagated vegetatively from root divisions.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society