Saxifraga stolonifera
| Saxifraga stolonifera | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 0.5' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Saxifraga stolonifera (common name: strawberry saxifrage)
Propagation: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame in the spring. Surface sow, or only just cover the seed, and make sure that the compost does not dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Cultivation: Prefers a cool position in a moist humus-rich soil[1]. Prefers an acid soil[2]. Thrives on heavy soils in the milder areas of the country[3]. Usually thrives in a poor soil with a northerly aspect[1]. Grows well in light woodland[2] or in a shady position in a rock garden.
The plant is hardy to about -10°c[4]. The leaves and the flowers, however, are liable to be damaged by autumn frosts[2].
A very ornamental plant[1], it is sometimes grown as a house plant[2].
A polymorphic species[1], it is closely related to S. cortusifolia, differing in having runners[2].
Range: E. Asia - W. China, Japan. Naturalized in C. and S. Europe[5].
Habitat: Shady cliffs and mossy rocks at low altitudes[4]. Occasionally naturalized on walls in C. and S. Europe[5].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked[6][7]. Relished in Japan when parboiled or fried and used in salads[8].
Flowering stem - said to be tasty when salted[8].
Medicinal: Antibacterial, antiphlogistic[9]. There are growth-promoting substances in the leaves[9].
The whole plant is depurative, febrifuge and suppurative[10][11]. Its use promotes the drainage of pus[10]. A decoction is used in the treatment of boils and abscesses, poisonous snakebites, otitis media, acute attacks of convulsions and haematemesis[10].
The leaf juice is applied to aching ears, abscesses and inflammations[11].
Usage: Can be grown as a ground cover plant in a shady position[12]. Plants should be spaced about 45cm apart each way[3].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Also Known As: S. sarmentosa.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kariyone, Tatsuo. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.