Securinega
Securinega (lat. Securinega) is a genus of shrubs and small trees of the Euphorbiaceae family. The genus contains about 25 species, growing mainly in the Mediterranean, South America, Africa and temperate and subtropical regions of Asia.
In Russia, only one species is found – Securinega suffruticosa. This species is cultivated in the south of the Far East and Eastern Siberia. Typical places are steppes, dry rocky and gravelly slopes, rocky areas, forest edges and rare oak trees.
Characteristics of culture
Securinega is a shrub or low-growing tree up to 4 m high with one or two curved stems covered with rough gray bark. The diameter of the stems reaches 8-10 cm, in the upper part they are crowned with thin twig-like branches. The leaves are entire, medium-sized, elliptical, arranged alternately. The flowers are small, fragrant, green or greenish-yellow, female solitary, male flowers collected in few-flowered bunches. The fruits are spherical capsules, the valves of which crack when ripe. Securinega blooms in June – July, the fruits ripen in September.
Subtleties of cultivation
Securinega is undemanding to soil conditions, but develops better on light, fertile, moderately moist soils. Accepts podzolic soils with the addition of organic matter and mineral fertilizers (ammonium nitrate and superphosphate), well-cultivated chernozems. Does not tolerate highly acidic, swampy and saline soils.
Securinega is propagated by seeds and cuttings. Seeds are sown in the fall under cover or in the spring with preliminary cold stratification, lasting 3-4 months at a temperature of 3C. Store seeds in glass containers or in tight bags in a cool, dry, ventilated area. In the first years of life, plants need more careful care: regular watering, weeding and loosening.
Securinega grows quite quickly, the annual growth is 30-50 cm. In severe winters, the plants freeze heavily, but this does not in any way affect the decorative properties of the crop. Frostbitten branches are removed in late May – early June. Securinega is practically not damaged by pests and diseases, but sanitary treatments with natural infusions will not harm.
Application
Securinega is an excellent ornamental plant. It is prized for its unusual, translucent, lacy crown. Securinega looks beautiful in single or group plantings. It fits harmoniously into autonomalia, as its foliage takes on beautiful light yellow hues in autumn. The numerous capsules hanging on long peduncles add a special charm to the plant.
Securinega is considered a valuable medicinal plant; preparations are made from it for nervous system disorders. Securinega is used for sexual weakness, severe asthenic conditions, various types of paralysis, neurasthenia, fatigue, and nervous disorders. Securinega preparations are indispensable for heart failure, burns, food poisoning, and even fractures. Securinega or Flugea subshrubby – seed stratification in the ground
