Polemonium reptans Abcess Root, Greek valerian PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Polemonium reptans is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. humile. Salisb.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

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.
Alterative Astringent Diaphoretic Expectorant Pectoral

The dried roots have a slightly bitter and acrid taste[4]. They are alterative, astringent, diaphoretic, expectorant and pectoral[4, 61, 222, 238]. They can be used in an infusion with water or as a tincture with alcohol[4]. They are used internally in the treatment of coughs, colds, bronchitis, laryngitis, tuberculosis, feverish and inflammatory diseases, including skin conditions and poisonous bites[238]. The root is rarely used in modern herbalism[238]. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Hair

A decoction of the whole plant is used as a hair rinse[213].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist well-drained fertile soil in sun or semi-shade[200]. Plants are best grown in a soil approaching that of a moraine and they must not be allowed to dry out in the summer[1]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187]. A number of named varieties have been selected for their ornamental value[187]. Plants have a creeping root and can multiply very quickly[4]. They can also self-sow to the point of nuisance[200]. The plants have a smell that attracts cats. The cats roll in the plants with evident pleasure and can cause considerable damage to young plants and ones that have recently been moved[238, K].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame[14]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring or early autumn[111]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan (south), New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota (southeast), Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin (south), Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, 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 :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Polemonium caeruleum	Jacob's Ladder, Charity	Perennial	0.4	0-0		LM	SN	M	0	2

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

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Botanical References

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Links / References

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

Readers comment


Dianne Nichol-Brown	Fri Apr 10 2009

Here at the National Plant Collection of Polemonium we regularly add flowers of all including reptans to salads and for cake decorations. The flowers have a high nectar content. Petals only - the calyx is a bit hairy and bitter. Dianne Nichol-Brown. Polenonium.co.uk

Polemonium reptans - L.