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Gratiola officinalis - L.

Common Name Hedge Hyssop
Family Scrophulariaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards All parts of the plant are poisonous[9, 65, 200].
Habitats Wet grassland, fens, river banks, ditches etc[9, 50].
Range Central and southern Europe.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Gratiola officinalis Hedge Hyssop


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Gratiola officinalis Hedge Hyssop
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Gratiola officinalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from June to August. 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

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

None known

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.
Cardiac  Diuretic  Homeopathy  Purgative  Vermifuge

Hedge hyssop was once widely used as a medicinal herb but it is now considered to be obsolete because of its toxicity[238]. The root and the flowering herb are cardiac, diuretic, violently purgative and vermifuge[4, 9, 21]. The plant has been used in the treatment of liver problems, enlargement of the spleen, dropsy, jaundice, intestinal worms etc[4, 238]. The plant is harvested whilst in flower in the summer and dried for later use[9, 238]. Use with caution, in excess the plant causes abortion, kidney damage and bowel haemorrhage[238]. See also the notes above on toxicity. A homeopathic remedy is made from the flowering plant[9]. It is used in the treatment of cystitis, colic and certain stomach disorders[9].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a rich moist alkaline soil in full sun[1, 200, 238]. Succeeds in pond margins[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[1]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Gratiola pedunculata Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM01 

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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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

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

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