Polygonum alaskanum
| Polygonum alaskanum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 6' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Polygonum alaskanum (common name: alaska wild rhubarb)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually free and easy. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have reached sufficient size. If not, overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out the following spring after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring or autumn. 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 is hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. It is quite possibly no more than a synonym for P. alpinum[1]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[2] but prefers a moisture retentive not too fertile soil in sun or part shade[3]. Repays generous treatment[2].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[4].
Range: Western N. America - Alaska to California.
Habitat: Sub-alpine to alpine meadows, talis slopes and ridges[5].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked[1]. They have an acid flavour and can be used as a sorrel substitute[6]. The chopped leaves and stems have been added to a thick pudding of flour and sugar then eaten[1].
Leaf stems - raw or cooked. An acid flavour, they can be cut into sections and used like rhubarb (Rheum spp)[1].
The juice from the plant has been sweetened and used as a refreshing drink[1].
Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize.
Medicinal: The whole plant is astringent[6]. The raw roots and stem bases have been chewed as a treatment for coughs and colds[1].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no specific mention has been made for this species, there have been reports that some members of this genus can cause photosensitivity in susceptible people._x005F
Many species also contain oxalic acid (the distinctive lemony flavour of sorrel) - whil
Also Known As: P. phytolaccaefolium. Meisn.&Small.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.