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Ligusticum porteri - J.M.Coult.&Rose.

Common Name Porter's Licorice Root
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Moist fertile ground, almost to the timberline, 2000 - 3500 metres in Texas[155]. Upland meadows and ravines[238].
Range South-western N. America.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Ligusticum porteri Porter


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:JerryFriedman
Ligusticum porteri Porter
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:JerryFriedman

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Ligusticum porteri is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

The leaves are used as a flavouring, a celery substitute[155].

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.
Antirheumatic  Antispasmodic  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Expectorant  Febrifuge  Kidney  Stomachic  
TB  Uterine tonic

The roots, seed and essential oil (obtained from the roots and the seed) of this plant are a bitter, camphoraceous warming herb that stimulates the circulation, kidneys and uterus[238]. They are also antirheumatic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, digestive, expectorant, febrifuge and stomachic[155, 172, 238]. They are used internally in the treatment of eruptive fevers, bronchial infections, digestive complaints, toothache, painful menstruation and retained placenta[238]. They have also been used to treat TB. and headaches[155, 172]. An infusion of the roots is used externally to treat body aches[257]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position[200]. Succeeds in dry soils[238]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238].

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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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

The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in the autumn. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible in a greenhouse or cold frame[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer if they have grown large enough. Otherwise, keep them in a cold frame for the first winter and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Colorado, Idaho (s.-c.), Wyoming (south), New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada (east), Utah), Mexico (Chihuahua, Nuevo León)

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
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Ligusticum brachylobum Perennial1.0 -  LMHNM02 
Ligusticum canadenseCanadian Licorice RootPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNM210
Ligusticum canbyiOshaPerennial1.2 3-6 MLMHFSM302
Ligusticum filicinumFernleaf Licorice Root 0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Ligusticum hulteniiHulten's Licorice RootPerennial0.0 -  LMHNM20 
Ligusticum jeholense Perennial0.7 -  LMHNM02 
Ligusticum mutellinaMountain Lovage, Alpine lovagePerennial0.5 5-9  LMHNM11 
Ligusticum scoticumScottish Lovage, Scottish licorice-root, Hulten's licorice-rootPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHNDM322
Ligusticum sinenseChuang XiongPerennial1.0 5-9  LMHNM03 
Ligusticum wallichiiChuan XiongPerennial1.0 -  LMHNM03 

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

J.M.Coult.&Rose.

Botanical References

155

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Sam   Mon Nov 23 2009

Other common name is osha. This herb is prescribed for any infectious disease, because it has both antibacterial and antiviral action. (Information is from herbalist Joshua Muscat in San Francisco.)

giovanni Silva   Tue Nov 24 2009

Este produto é o proprio Licorice ou Alcaçuz

   Dec 4 2013 12:00AM

My family knows this plant as Osha. In northern NM, it is used to help aid during cold and flu season. The first signs of a cold meant that mom would give us osha that had been steeping in boiling water for a good 30 minutes. We hated the taste, but we got better quickly. As adults, we still use osha when we're sick.

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