Petasites saggitatus
| Petasites saggitatus | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Meadows Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Petasites saggitatus (common name: arrowleaf 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. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1], but prefers a deep fertile humus-rich soil that is permanently moist but not stagnant, succeeding in shade, semi-shade or full sun[2]. Prefers partial shade[3]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[4].
A very invasive plant, too rampant for anything other than the wild garden[5][2].
Closely related to P. frigidus[6].
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: North-western N. America - Labrador to Alaska, south to British Columbia and Colorado.
Habitat: Wet places[6].
Edibility: Young flower stalks, used before the flower buds appear, are boiled until tender and seasoned with salt[7].
Young leaves - cooked[8]. A felt-like texture.[7]
The ash of the plant is used as a salt substitute[7]. 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].
A poultice of the leaves has been applied to itchy skin and also to worms that are eating the flesh[10].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Dioecious
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 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.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.