EVALUATION OF SIX MEDICINAL CROP PLANTS IN TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA

Papaver somniferum has been grown commercially in Tasmania for about twenty five years. The crop is mainly grown on red krasnozen soil and high head (capsule plus seed) yields have been achieved. In 1987–88 Digitalis lanata, Catharanthus roseus, Artemisia annua, Glycyrrhiza glabra and Panax quinquefolium were evaluated as potential cash crops. In this initial screening D. lanata, C. roseus and A. annua were harvested at a range of times from late summer to autumn. The pattern of growth suggested that the yields of digoxin from D. lanata were highest at the first harvest in February while A. annua tended to give maximum yields of artemisinin at the third harvest in March. C. roseus achieved maximum leaf yields in March but the plant did not survive the winter. Of the two perennials G. glabra established well with good root and top growth but P. quinquefolium gave low establishment and sparse growth.