I must say that what seems to us leaves, at the needle is a cladodia, that is, flattened branches. The real leaves of the needle are membranes of a translucent kind, flowers with purple stamens (they may be 3 or 6), merged into an ovate tube, with anthers at the end, are bloomed on them. The leaves themselves are strongly reduced, they are small, triangular-subulate.
The flowers of the needle are same-sex. They can find the remains of a gynecia or a reduced androcea. Flowers can also be bisexual, but they function like homosexuals. Perianth is more often a greenish shade. They are six-parted, with diverted shares, internal ones already external. Pistils are surrounded by staminate filaments, the pistils themselves are short, the stigma has a capitate shape.
During the autumn, on the needle, berries ripen, in each - 2 or 3 globular seeds. They germinate, mainly in a couple of years. A fleshy berry has a short leg.
The plant has a finely chiseled stalk, and the rhizome near the needle is creeping.
Quite interesting is the process of pollination of the needle. It occurs when dew drops, rain or snow melts. Water, washing "masculine" for the functioning of flowers, captures pollen grains and transfers them, draining, to "female".
Iglitsa came to us from the time of the Ice Age. Currently, the genus of this plant has several types:
- Piggy, prickly needle;
- The Colchis needle;
- Sublingual needles;
- The needle is leafy;
- Iglitsa Hyrkan and others.
Spread.
Iglitsa is widespread in Africa (in Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria), in Asia (in the regions of Iran, Turkey, Algeria), in Europe (in Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Albania, Greece , in Romania in Yugoslavia, and others), in Macaronesia (in the Azov Islands, Madeira and the Canaries). Due to its original appearance, the needle became popular in home gardening.
Application.
Often the needle is used for arranging curbs. Due to the fact that the plant is evergreen, curbs or other fences look great all year round in parks and gardens. Sprouts of the needle with leaves and berries are used for decorations, bouquets.
During the year, only about 30% of the shoots can be cut from the plant, otherwise the needle will be irreparably damaged.
The needle has edible young shoots. Fruits are often used as a surrogate for coffee. Of bright berries do ornaments, for example, beads.
Large branches of plants are used for decorating bouquets. It is suitable for compositions made from dried flowers, and for VIP-class bouquets, especially if bright fruits are kept on branches.
Colchis is used as a feed for livestock. The needle of the Pontic, belonging to ornamental plants, still has an important soil-protective effect. She also goes on making bouquets. English butchers use it to make panicle, by the way, it is called "butterflies". Its a lot and often used, so it refers to the vanishing species. Included in the Red Book and such types of needle, as Colchic needle (R. colchicus), sublingual (R. hypoglossum), Hyrkan.
Medical properties.
About the healing properties of the plant knew already in the days of Virgil and Pliny. They called the needle-bar "Ruskus".
Iglitsa is able to narrow the vessels, strengthen the walls of veins, reduce the fragility of blood vessels, capillaries, reduce thrombus formation. The plant helps to improve cellular metabolism and remove toxins from muscle tissue, stimulate salt and water metabolism. Iglitsa prevents the development of inflammatory processes.
From the rhizome of the plant, an extract is made which is able to normalize metabolic processes in the skin and improve blood flow. Because of these properties, the plant is popular as a component of cosmetic products, whose action is aimed at combating cellulite.
Room flowers of the needle: growing conditions.
Location. In the summer months the needle can feel great on the balcony or in the garden. The plant needs a land, which will contain humus, leaf and turf. The sod land should be 2 times larger, you can add some sand. But, in principle, the needle is not demanding to the ground, it grows even on heavy clay soils. Transplant the plant as needed.
If you want to get a lush bush of the needle, then choose a wide pot and a loose substrate, where the roots will be free to distract new shoots. If you want to contain the growth of the needle, then it is better to plant it in a narrow pot in the "heavy" ground.
Flowers needles prefer semi-shady places. They grow well at room temperatures. In the open ground in winter, needles can not be grown, they are not frost-hardy.
Nevertheless, others, even the most extreme conditions for other plants, the needles carry with ease. She is not at all afraid of temperature changes, a drop in heat to 15 degrees, dry air and drafts.
Lighting. The plant needs diffuse light. It tolerates the shadow well. If the plant is placed under direct sunlight, the young shoots may dry out.
Watering. Watering plants in summer is necessary abundantly, the plant loves moisture. In winter, during the rest period, the needle is watered moderately. In the summer, the needle can be sprayed to create additional moisture conditions. Phyllocladodia must be wiped with a soft cloth or sponge from dust. The plant, as is known, is not exacting. At home, plants are often drought, so even if you suddenly forget to water the plant, it will transfer your forgetfulness easily.
Reproduction. Iglitsa - flowers, the process of reproduction which occurs when dividing bushes. Plants and seeds multiply, but this is a long process.
Care. When the plant begins a period of intensive growth, it should be fed once a month. This requires a solution of complex fertilizer. Well, if there is an opportunity to sprinkle the soil with dry mullein. When there is a period of rest, these house flowers should not be fed. When the needle grows, its sensitivity to fertilizing decreases. Each shoot of a plant for six years can serve as an excellent decor element, then it turns yellow and gradually withers. For this you need to monitor and remove such shoots in time. The needle does not crumble branches, it is very convenient, because of the plant, in contrast to, for example, asparagus, much less dirt and debris.
Difficulties that can arise during cultivation. Iglitsa is one of the few plants that does not cause any difficulties at its cultivation.