Plant ID card |
|
|---|---|
Botanical name |
Umbilicus rupestris. |
Common name |
Navel of Venus. |
Family |
Crassulaceae. |
Origin |
Europe. |
Dimensions |
15 to 50 cm high (in flower). |
Foliage |
Deciduous, succulent, light green leaves. They are rounded and cupped (hence the name navel). The basal leaves are attached to the center of the blade by a long turgid petiole. The upper leaves are crenate and connected to the petiole on one edge. Edible, their taste is tangy. |
Bloom |
From May to September, they are erect and pointed clusters, composed of long, tubular, greenish-yellow, pendulous flowers, which bloom above the foliage. Dry flowers do not fall. |
Exposure |
Partial shade. |
Ground |
Fresh, drained and rather acidic. |
Rusticity |
-20°C. |
Hardy and not very greedy, the Venus navel flourishes among shady pebbles and rocks, on cliffs, embankments, or on old stone roofs. But for a regular harvest, it is better to bring it into the garden. We'll explain how.
How to plant the navel of Venus?
Umbilicus rupestris
is planted
in spring,
when frosts are no longer to be feared. The ideal situation is partial shade. Full sun is not prohibitive, as long as the soil remains cool. A simple small pocket of earth, sandy, light and well drained is enough for it to take root (limestone and excess humidity are harmful to it.) It can be slipped into any rocky gap: on a low wall, a rockery, a rocky pile...
If you opt for growing in a pot (this is not ideal, but possible), opt for
a terracotta pot
and pay particular attention to the draining nature of the substrate used. Tip: do not plant Venus Navel plants too deep. Covering the roots with one centimeter of substrate is sufficient.
Also readHow to easily create a maintenance-free rock garden?
How to maintain Venus' navel?
The navel of Venus slips into any rocky gap: on a low wall, a rockery, a rocky pile... Copyright (c) 2017 Oliver Breda/Shutterstock. No use without permission.
Care:
Umbilicus rupestris
is a hardy plant which, once rooted, can quickly be forgotten. Watering is only necessary if the soil dries out and pruning is limited to removing dry flower stalks. The Venus navel is, moreover, not very subject to diseases and attacks by pests, when grown in good conditions;
Propagation:
hot sowing is possible in spring and autumn, with transplanting in spring. But leaf cuttings or division of tufts in spring are quicker.
How to eat Venus' navel?
Leaves are harvested before flowering, as needed. We
eat them raw
: juicy and tangy in flavor, they bring a crunchy and refreshing note to salads made at the end of winter/early spring. Some enjoy them candied in vinegar, while others stuff them with cottage cheese or hummus to serve as appetizers.
The leaves of the Venus navel are harvested before flowering. Copyright (c) 2016 LFRabanedo/Shutterstock. No use without permission.
What are the virtues of Venus' navel?
Traditional medicine has used Umbilicus rupestris
leaves
for a very long time to treat external wounds and burns, thanks to
their healing properties.
They also seem to be effective in resolving corns on the feet. Well endowed with mucilage and mineral salts, they are also depurative and diuretic.
Not to be confused
Another plant is sometimes called “Navel of Venus”. This is
Omphalodes
cappadocica,
a perennial plant of the Borraginaceae family, inedible.