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Micranthes pensylvanica - L.

Common Name Swamp Saxifrage, Eastern swamp saxifrage
Family Saxifragaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Wet meadows, swamps, boggy thickets, prairies and seeping banks[43].
Range Eastern N. America - Maine to Ontario, Minnesota, Virginia, Iowa and Missouri.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Micranthes pensylvanica Swamp Saxifrage, Eastern swamp saxifrage


Elaine Haug @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Micranthes pensylvanica Swamp Saxifrage, Eastern swamp saxifrage
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 2

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Micranthes pensylvanica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Micranthes pensylvanica.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked[105, 177, 257]. Harvested as they are unrolling, they are used in salads or eaten as a potherb[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


A poultice of the root has been used to treat sore, swollen muscles[257]. An infusion of the roots and leaves has been used as a blood purifier[257]. An infusion of the roots has been used to treat weak kidneys and dropsy[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers an open soil[1]. Does well in a shady position in a wild garden[1]. Plants grow best in cool woodland conditions[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

43235

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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