Follow Us:

 

Gillenia - (Muhl. ex Willd.)Baill.

Common Name American Ipecacuanna, American ipecac
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Woods, thickets and rocky slopes[43].
Range Eastern N. America - New York to Indiana and Kansas, south to Georgia, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade
Gillenia American Ipecacuanna, American ipecac


Thomas G. Barnes @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Barnes, T.G., and S.W. Francis. 2004. Wildflowers and ferns of Kentucky. University Press of Kentucky.
Gillenia American Ipecacuanna, American ipecac
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: 248.

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Gillenia is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Porteranthus stipulatus. (Muhl. ex Willd.)Britt.

Plant Habitats

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.


The dried powdered root bark is cathartic, slightly diaphoretic, a mild and efficient emetic, expectorant and tonic[4, 61, 213, 238]. Minute doses are used internally in the treatment of colds, chronic diarrhoea, constipation, asthma and other bronchial complaints[238, 257]. The roots have been used externally in the treatment of rheumatism[257]. A cold infusion of the roots has been given, or the root chewed, in the treatment of bee and other stings[257]. The roots are harvested in the autumn, the bark is removed and dried for later use[213, 238]. A tea made from the whole plant is strongly laxative and emetic[222]. Minute doses are used internally in the treatment of colds, indigestion, asthma and hepatitis[222]. A poultice or wash is used in the treatment of rheumatism, bee stings and swellings[222]. A decoction or strong infusion of the whole plant has been taken a pint at a time as an emetic[257]. A poultice of the plant has been used to treat leg swellings[257]. The plant has been used in the treatment of toothaches[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a rather moist but well-drained lime-free peaty soil in semi-shade[4, 200]. Succeeds in a sunny position but requires shade at the hottest part of the day[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[200]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on for the first year in a lightly shaded area of the greenhouse or cold frame. Plant out in late spring and protect from slugs until well established. Division in spring or autumn[238].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Indiana (south), Michigan (southeast), New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, Kansas (southeast), Missouri, Oklahoma (east), Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, 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 :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Gillenia stipulataAmerican Ipecacuanna, American ipecacPerennial1.2 4-8  LMHSM03 
Gillenia trifoliataIndian Physic, Bowman's rootPerennial1.2 4-9 MLMHSNM03 

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.

 

Support Plants For A Future

Plants For A Future relies on regular donations to keep our free database and search facilities going, to pay for ongoing research, improvements and enhancements, and to develop and publish new books. Read more

Choose Currency

Donate in £ GBP Donate in $ USD Donate in € EUR

Securely pay via PayPal or Credit/Debit Card without an account.

Expert comment

Author

(Muhl. ex Willd.)Baill.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

Subject : Gillenia  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.