Contents
Description
Thesium Chinense is a perennial flowering plant that belongs to the family of Santalaceae. It is native to China, Japan, and Korea and is commonly known as “Chinese Thesium.” This herbaceous plant usually grows up to 30 centimeters tall and has a short, woody base. It has a thin stem that branches out into several thin twigs with small, green leaves. The plant’s flowers are small, white, and arranged in clusters at the end of the branches. It blooms from June to August and produces small, round fruits that ripen in September.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Santalales |
| Family | Santalaceae |
| Genus | Thesium |
Appearance
Thesium Chinense has a unique appearance that makes it stand out among other plants. Its stem is thin and wiry with many branches that form a bushy plant. The leaves are small, narrow, and lance-shaped, with pointed tips. They are arranged alternately on the stem, and their margins are slightly rolled under. The flowers are small, white, and clustered together in groups at the end of the branches. The fruit is a small, round, and hard nutlet that ripens from green to brown in color.
Care Guide
To keep your Thesium Chinense healthy and thriving, you need to provide it with the right amount of water, fertilizer, soil, sunlight, and temperature.Water: Thesium Chinense prefers well-draining soil that is moist but not waterlogged. Water it thoroughly once a week, and make sure the soil is evenly moist.Fertilization: Fertilize your Thesium Chinense once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.Soil: Thesium Chinense prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. A soil pH of 6.0 to 7.5 is ideal for this plant.Sunlight: Thesium Chinense prefers full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate some shade, but it will not flower as profusely.Hardiness Zones: Thesium Chinense is hardy to USDA zones 5 to 8.
Common Pests & Diseases
Thesium Chinense is relatively pest and disease-free. However, it can occasionally be affected by spider mites or scale insects. If you notice any signs of infestation, treat the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Habitat
Thesium Chinense is native to China, Japan, and Korea, where it grows in open grasslands, meadows, and forest edges. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Thesium Chinense poisonous?A: No, Thesium Chinense is not poisonous.Q: Can I grow Thesium Chinense in a container?A: Yes, Thesium Chinense can be grown in a container as long as it has well-draining soil and receives enough sunlight.Q: How often should I fertilize Thesium Chinense?A: Fertilize Thesium Chinense once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.Q: What is the ideal soil pH for Thesium Chinense?A: The ideal soil pH for Thesium Chinense is 6.0 to 7.5.
Related Plants
Here are some related plants that belong to the same family as Thesium Chinense:
- Santalum album (Indian Sandalwood)
- Comandra umbellata (Bastard Toadflax)
- Thesium humifusum (Low-growing Thesium)
- Thesium ebracteatum (Bractless Thesium)
References
- “Thesium Chinense.” Missouri Botanical Garden. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=g810
- “Thesium Chinense.” Plant Delights Nursery. https://www.plantdelights.com/products/thesium-chinense
- “Thesium Chinense.” Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:915202-1
