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(Bolax gummifera)
Balsam-Bog (Bolax gummifera)
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John Brew
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
John Brew
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: John Brew | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: John Brew | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-01-14T14:06:08Z |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Bolax gummifera, commonly known as Balsam-Bog, is an evergreen perennial herb native to the alpine and subantarctic regions of Southern South America, particularly in Argentina and Chile. It forms dense, cushion-like mats reaching a height and width of 0.2-0.3 feet (0.06-0.09 meters). Balsam-Bog is adapted to harsh, windy conditions and often grows in rocky, well-drained soils.
Balsam-Bog is valued for its unique, low-growing habit and its ability to create a ground cover that can withstand tough conditions. It is often used in rock gardens and alpine plantings. The plant produces small, yellow, globe-shaped flowers in the summer, which add a subtle charm to its appearance. In cultivation, it requires minimal maintenance, thriving in full sun with low to medium water needs and preferring soils with fast drainage. While it is not commonly afflicted by diseases, it can suffer from root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Balsam-Bog is valued for its unique, low-growing habit and its ability to create a ground cover that can withstand tough conditions. It is often used in rock gardens and alpine plantings. The plant produces small, yellow, globe-shaped flowers in the summer, which add a subtle charm to its appearance. In cultivation, it requires minimal maintenance, thriving in full sun with low to medium water needs and preferring soils with fast drainage. While it is not commonly afflicted by diseases, it can suffer from root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.2-0.3 feet
- Width: 0.2-0.3 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden
Natural Habitat
Alpine and subantarctic regions of Southern South America
Other Names
Common Names: Plastic Plant, Cushion Plant
Scientific Names: , Bolax gummifera, Bolax glebaria, Hydrocotyle gummifera, Azorella glebaria, Azorella cespitosa, Bolax complicatus, Azorella columnifer, Bolax columnifer, Caucalis gummifera
GBIF Accepted Name: Bolax gummifera (Lam.) Spreng.