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Herniaria hirsuta - L.

Common Name Hairy Rupture Wort
Family Caryophyllaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sandy ground[17].
Range Central and Southern Europe to Africa and Asia. Naturalized in Britain.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Herniaria hirsuta Hairy Rupture Wort


Herniaria hirsuta Hairy Rupture Wort

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 
Herniaria hirsuta is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Ground Cover; Cultivated Beds;

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.
Diuretic

The plant is diuretic[240]. It is used in the treatment of sore throats[240]. The plant contains coumarins and saponins, which are toxic, and so it should be used with some caution.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soap

A good ground cover plant, allowing spring bulbs to grow through it[200]. An aqueous extract of the plant is a hand cleanser, making the skin soft and supple[240].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Grows well in hot dry soils[1]. Dislikes excessive moisture[1]. Succeeds in very poor soils[1]. Useful for covering rocks or as a carpet bedding[1], it makes a good ground cover for spring bulbs since they can grow through it easily[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:

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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 - sow spring in a cold frame. 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Kuwait, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Egypt (Sinai), Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan EUROPE: Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia

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
Herniaria glabraRupture Wort, Smooth rupturewortBiennial/Perennial0.0 4-8  LMNDM023

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

17

Links / References

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Subject : Herniaria hirsuta  
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