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Galax urceolata - (Poir.)Brummitt.

Common Name Beetleweed, Wandflower
Family Diapensiaceae
USDA hardiness 5-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Moist open woodland, particularly in montane areas, to altitudes of 1500 metres[200].
Range South-eastern N. America.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Galax urceolata Beetleweed, Wandflower


William S. Justice @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Galax urceolata Beetleweed, Wandflower
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 2: 707.

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Galax urceolata is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

G. aphylla. non L.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

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.
Kidney  Vulnerary

The plant is used for healing all kinds of wounds and cuts[207]. An infusion of the root is used to treat kidney problems[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

An attractive ground cover, the leaves turn bronze-red in winter[200]. Plants should be spaced about 25cm apart each way[208].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Rock garden, Specimen, Woodland garden. Requires a moist humus-rich lime-free soil with part day shade[200]. Succeeds in full shade[208]. Plants can succeed in the dry shade of trees[233]. Succeeds in the woodland garden, large rock gardens or as an edging for shady paths[200]. Plants like an annual mulch of pine needles or other acid organic matter each spring[200]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 5. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. An evergreen. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [1-2]. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots [1-2]. The root pattern is stoloniferous rooting from creeping stems above the ground [1-2].

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

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Propagation

Seed - sow early spring or autumn in a shaded cold frame[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a shady position in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division with care in early spring[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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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

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

(Poir.)Brummitt.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

   Mon Feb 26 2007

I have been researching Galax for the last two days , and found paydirt/, my reason for research is Storyteller Ray Hicks pulling Galax, I was born 5 miles from the area and did not know what Galax was , and I knew alot of medicinal herbs , ./

SARA   Wed May 21 2008

Need folklore about the plant E mail me when you get it [email protected]

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Subject : Galax urceolata  
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