Pygmy bishop's hat (Mitrasacme pygmaea)

Pygmy bishop's hat

Pygmy bishop's hat is a petite annual herb that is noted for its trumpet-shaped flowers that appear in groups close to the end of its branches. Pygmy bishop's hat is considered endangered in parts of Australia. The name Pygmy bishop's hat presumably alludes to the inference that it's fruit capsule resembles a miter, or a traditional headdress that bishops wore, which is also the meaning of the Greek translation of the genus name of this plant.

Scientific classification

Species

Pygmy bishop's hat (Mitrasacme pygmaea)

Gentians, dogbanes, madders, and allies

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Annual

Lifespan

Herb

Plant Type

Early summer, Mid summer

Bloom Time

20 cm

Plant Height

Evergreen

Leaf type

Distribution of Pygmy bishop's hat

Distribution Map

Pygmy bishop's hat is a diminutive plant with a native range that spans several regions in Asia. It proliferates from the eastern Himalayas through Southeast Asia to East Asia. Moreover, this species has expanded beyond its original habitat and can now be found as an introduced specimen in a variety of other locales, establishing new populations across diverse ecosystems.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

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Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Care Guide for Pygmy bishop's hat

Every week

Water

Partial sun

Sunlight

Water: Native to damp grasslands, pygmy bishop's hat efficiently retains moisture and prefers consistent hydration but tolerates brief dry spells. Weekly watering sustains its moisture balance. Typically grown outdoors, it benefits from rainfall but requires monitoring during prolonged dryness.

Fertilize: For pygmy bishop's hat, apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) bi-monthly during active growth to enhance vigor and blooms. Use high-nitrogen fertilizers for leaf development, but reduce fertilizing in dormancy. Dilute concentrations to protect roots, adjusting dosages to prevent foliage burn while following label instructions.

Pruning: Pygmy bishop's hat, known for its small size and lovely flowers, thrives with strategic pruning to enhance shape and growth. Techniques include removing spent blooms and thinning for air circulation, ideally done in early to late spring, promoting vigorous blooms and preventing diseases.

Propagation: Pygmy bishop's hat is a small herbaceous plant easily propagated from seeds collected after blooming. Sow in well-draining soil, maintaining consistent moisture without waterlogging. Ensure bright, indirect light for germination, and practice gentle handling and patience as seedlings may take time to establish.

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Learn More About Pygmy bishop's hat

How to Transplant

How to Prune

How to Grow and Care

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