Petasites hyperboreus
| Petasites hyperboreus | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 0.5' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Meadows Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Petasites hyperboreus (common name: arctic sweet coltsfoot)
Propagation: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe or in early spring. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division succeeds at almost any time of the year. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will succeed in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. According to one report this species is no more than a synonym of P. frigidus[1]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[2], but prefers a deep fertile humus-rich soil that is permanently moist but not stagnant, succeeding in shade, semi-shade or full sun[3]. Prefers partial shade[4]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[5].
A very invasive plant, too rampant for anything other than the wild garden[6][3].
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: North-western N. America.
Habitat: Meadows, swampy places and moist woods[1].
Edibility: Young leaves - cooked. A felt-like texture.[7]
Young stalks and flower heads - cooked[7].
The burnt leaves are used as a salt substitute[7][8]. The stems and leaves, whilst still green, are rolled up into balls, dried and then placed on top of a very small fire on a rock and burned[9]. A very acceptable condiment for piñole[9].
Medicinal: Antispasmodic, poultice, salve[7].
An infusion of the dried, stored leaves has been used in the treatment of colds, head and chest congestion[10].
Usage: The cotton-like seed heads have been used as a stuffing material in mattresses etc[10].
The leaves have been used to make temporary cone-shaped containers for picking fruit[10]. The leaves have occasionally been used to form makeshift funnels[10].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Late Spring-Early Summer
Flower Type: Dioecious
Also Known As: Petasites frigidus nivalis. (Greene.)Cronq.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Brown, George. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Schofield, Janice. Discovering Wild Plants.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.