Lallemantia iberica
The Iberian scorpionfish ( Lallemantia iberica ) is a species in the mint family ( Lamiaceae). Their range extends over parts of Asia Minor and Transcaucasia, in Eastern Europe it has been naturalized as a regional oil plant and serves as a raw material for the production of Linolenölen.
The Iberian dragon head is a herbaceous annual plant which grows to a height of 30 to 50 centimeters. It has a four-sided stems, where the linear- lanceolate leaves are arranged kreuzgegenständlich. The roots as an adaptation to dry habitats very deep into the ground.
The white flowers form Scheinquirle that are similar in structure to an ear of corn. The individual flowers are hermaphroditic and are fertilized mainly by bees. The flowering period is from July to August and the seed maturation takes place from August to September.
As fruits open capsules are formed with four seeds. The brown to black seed have a white navel, have a length of 5 mm, a width of 2 mm and up to 1.5 mm thick. The thousand seed weight is 4.5 to 5 grams. The seeds contain up to 38 percent oil, this consists of about 70 percent of triglycerides with α -linolenic acid as the fatty acid component. So that the oil is one of the fastest -drying vegetable oils.
Dissemination
The natural distribution areas of the Iberian dragon head is located in the temperate to subtropical regions of Asia Minor to central Asia. According to the plant, especially in the countries of Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Lebanon and Turkey as well as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and parts of the Caucasus region of Russia is to be found. In Turkey, it is found at altitudes of 2,150 meters.
Ecology
The Iberian dragon head is a thermophile species without any significant climate. It mainly grows in sunny locations and is drought tolerant. Compared with high rainfall and cold he is, however, sensitive. He needs limestone soils and grows particularly well to weathering locations, while clayey soils are not suitable. Waterlogging and weakly acidic soils are also not suitable as locations.
Use
Cultivation
The Iberian dragon head is cultivated as an oil plant. He grows according to its ecological requirements, especially on dry to medium moist limestone soils. Within a crop rotation he does not claim to previous crops, although mainly cereals are suitable for the suppression of root competition. It is suitable for any subsequent crop.
The spring sowing takes place in mid-April, with the minimum temperature for germination at about 2-3 ° C.. The germination time is 2 to 3 weeks, the growing season is relatively short, 90 to 120 days. A late sowing reduces yield partially considerably, so it could be proven that a sowing in mid-May due to less than 60 percent of the seed yields and only about 80 percent of the oil yield.
Harvesting is done with the combine shortly before full seed maturity to avoid losses due to falling out of the grains from the fruit. Seed yield is about 20 quintals ( also quintals ) per hectare.
Fertilization
The nutrient requirements of the plant with a grain yield of 15 dt / ha is low with approximately 70 kg N per hectare. In the other main nutrients phosphorus, potassium and magnesium contents satisfy even ground (medium supply step).
Plant protection
Compared with weeds the Iberian dragon head is very competitive due to its rapid growth, a distance corresponding to only root competitors sensible. Herbicides are not allowed for the cultivation of the plant. Due to heavy rainfall and cold can cause stem rot by Botrytis attack, with seed from northern areas, however, is probably largely resistant.
Use
So far, the Iberian dragon head, especially in the areas of CIS was cultivated as an oil plant. In Germany, the plant is occasionally cultivated as a medicinal plant (20 hectares in 1999).
The main use of the plant is carried out for the production of oil as an alternative to linseed oil, particularly Linolenöl for the chemical industry. It is used in the manufacture of paints and oil paints, wood preservatives, furniture polish, and in the manufacture of linoleum for use.
Young plants can also be used as a food and as a medicinal herb. Crop residues are processed into animal feed.