Bongardia is a monotypic genus in the berberry family native to North Africa to Greece, Central Asia and Middle Eastern areas. It is a tuberous, herbaceous plant with a large rounded tuber and attractive pinnate leaves. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). This rare and striking plant is native to rocky, montane slopes and cultivated fields where summers are dry and winters are spent under snow. It is named for August Heinrich von Bongard (1786–1839), a German botanist who collected in Eurasia and Alaska. Leaves and root are edible.

Cultivation

The plants grow well in sandy well-drained soil in full sun. A porous soil and year-round protection from excessive wet are needed, drought can be tolerated. It requires hot dry conditions in summer. Propagate from seed.