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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Heracleum sphondylium is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Meadow; Hedgerow;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Root Shoots Stem
Edible Uses: Sweetener
Stem and young shoots - raw or cooked[5, 7, 9, 17]. Used as a green vegetable, when harvested just as they are sprouting from the ground they are somewhat like asparagus in flavour[183]. The rind is somewhat acrid[115]. The leaf stems are tied in bundles and dried in the sun until they turn yellow[238]. A sweet substance resembling sugar forms on the dried stems and is considered to be a great delicacy[2, 115, 183, 238]. The peduncles, before flowering, can be eaten as a vegetable or added to soups[183]. Root - cooked. It is usually boiled[7].
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.
Antidiarrhoeal Antipsoriatic Aphrodisiac Digestive Expectorant Sedative
The roots and the leaves are aphrodisiac, digestive, mildly expectorant and sedative[7, 9, 238]. The plant is little used in modern herbalism but has been employed in the treatment of laryngitis and bronchitis[9, 238]. A tincture made from the aerial parts of the plant has also been used to relieve general debility, though it is uncertain how it works[7, 238]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and can be dried for later use[9].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
A very easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil[1, 238], doing best in moist soils or deep woodland[1]. Grows well in full sun or partial shade[238]. This species contains a large number of sub-species. Some, but by no means all of them, can cause various problems as detailed at the top of this record. Subspecies transylvanicum, pyrenaicum, montanum, orsinii and alpinum are distinctly phototoxic, subspecies sphondylium and sibiricum are not phototoxic whilst subspecies granatense and ternatum vary in their toxicity[65]. A good bee plant[108]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is a tap root similar to a carrot going directly down [1-2].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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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, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
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Propagation
Seed - sow mid to late spring or early autumn in situ. Division in autumn.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
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 :
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.
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Botanical References
17200
Links / References
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