Bituminaria bituminosa

Cultivation Details

Bituminaria bituminosa is native to the Mediterranean region and warm temperate areas of southern Europe, where it can grow at elevations from sea level to more than 2,000 metres. Forms from the Canaries (often known as var albomarginata) are the least cold-hardy, the leaves being killed by mild frosts of short duration - though it will often regrow, Forms from higher elevations in the Mediterranean are known to tolerate temperatures falling to -10°c or even lower^[1]. Mean annual rainfall can be as low as 150mm in Macaronesia, whilst at higher elevaions in the Mediterranean it can exceed 1,000mm^[1]. Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil. Succeeds on poor sandy soils^[2]. It has a broad soil adaptation from deep sandy soils to stony shallow soils; however, in the Mediterranean basin, it is mostly found on alkaline soils. In the Canary Islands, Tederas can be found on soils with pH from 4.7 to 8.5^[1]. Established plants are very drought tolerant^[1].. In milder climates the plant can flower all year round^[1]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby^[1].