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Saururus cernuus - L.

Common Name Swamp Lily, Lizard's Tail
Family Saururaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Wet soil, fresh or slightly brackish water to depth of 50cm from sea level to 500 metres[270].
Range Eastern N. America - Rhode Island to Florida, west to Texas and Minnesota.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Wet Soil Water Plants Semi-shade Full sun
Saururus cernuus Swamp Lily, Lizard


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez
Saururus cernuus Swamp Lily, Lizard
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Saururus cernuus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July 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 wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Pond; 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.
Antirheumatic  Poultice  Sedative  Stomachic

Sedative[61]. An infusion of the roots has been used as a wash in the treatment of rheumatism[257]. The root is roasted then mashed and made into a poultice to treat sore breasts[207, 222, 257]. A boiled extract of the roots is used as a poultice to heal flesh wounds[245]. The dried leaves can be made into a tea and drunk for the treatment of back and breast pains[207], it is also used in treating stomach ailments[222].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

This is a plant for a boggy area of the garden, it is able to withstand temporary flooding[56]. It prefers a loamy soil[1] growing well in pond margins though it spreads vigorously[56]. It can succeed in damp sites in the woodland as well as in the bog garden[200]. Prefers a position in full sun but tolerates some shade[188]. Plants are fairly cold tolerant, but are best given a protective mulch in the winter[56]. The flowers are fragrant[245].

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,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 - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in early autumn. Sow stored seed in late winter or early spring. Keep the pots moist by standing them in shallow water[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[1, 200]. The plants spread freely and division is possible at almost any time in the growing season. Divisions taken in mid to late summer should be overwintered in pots in a cold frame and then be planted out in late spring. Regular division maintains the vigour of the plant[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec, Ontario), United States (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas)

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
Saururus chinensis Perennial1.2 5-9  LMHSNWeWa02 

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

43200270

Links / References

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