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Scrophularia umbrosa - Dumort.

Common Name Water Betony, Water figwort
Family Scrophulariaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards The plant is probably poisonous to cows[76].
Habitats Damp shady ground, usually near water[4, 17]. An occasional garden weed[1].
Range Europe, including Britain, south and east from S. Sweden to France, Palestine and Asia to Tibet.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Scrophularia umbrosa Water Betony, Water figwort


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fornax
Scrophularia umbrosa Water Betony, Water figwort
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Scrophularia umbrosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, wasps.
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 semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

S. alata. S. aquatica. L. (name ambiguous). S. neesii.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked[2, 105]. There must be some doubts about the edibility of this root[K].

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.
Detergent  Eczema  Vulnerary

The leaves are detergent and vulnerary[4]. They are harvested as the plant comes into flower and can be used fresh or dried for later use[4]. The plant has a good reputation as a wound herb, either applied externally as a poultice or taken as a decoction[4]. Water betony is said to have similar medicinal properties to the knotted figwort, S. nodosa[254]. These properties are as follows:- Knotted figwort is a plant that supports detoxification of the body and it may be used as a treatment for various kinds of skin disorders[254]. The whole plant is alterative, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, mildly purgative and stimulant[4, 9, 21, 165]. It is harvested as the plant comes into flower in the summer and can be dried for later use[4]. A decoction is applied externally to sprains, swellings, burns, inflammations etc, and is said to be useful in treating chronic skin diseases, scrofulous sores and gangrene[4, 254]. The leaves can also be applied fresh or be made into an ointment[4]. Internally, the plant is used in the treatment of chronic skin diseases (such as eczema, psoriasis and pruritis), mastitis, swollen lymph nodes and poor circulation[238]. It should not be prescribed for patients with heart conditions[238]. The root is anthelmintic[9].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most moist soils. A good bee plant[4].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[238]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown outdoors in situ in the autumn or the spring. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

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 :

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123

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

Dumort.

Botanical References

17

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