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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Inula britannica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Meadow; 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.
Antibacterial Antiemetic Cancer Carminative Cholagogue Deobstruent Depurative Diuretic
Expectorant Laxative Resolvent Stomachic Tonic Vulnerary

Xuan Fu Hua is used in Chinese herbalism as a mildly warming expectorant remedy and it is especially suitable where phlegm has accumulated in the chest[254]. The flowers are more commonly used, but the leaves are also used, generally for less serious conditions[254]. The leaf is discutient and vulnerary[218]. The flowers are antibacterial, carminative, cholagogue, deobstruent, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, stomachic and tonic[218]. They are used internally in the treatment of bronchial complaints with profuse phlegm, nausea and vomiting, hiccups and flatulence[176, 238]. The flowers have an antibacterial action, but this can be destroyed by proteins in the body[176]. The plant is harvested when in flower and can be dried for later use[254]. The root is discutient, resolvent and vulnerary[218]. The plant has been mentioned as a possible treatment for cancer of the oesophagus[218].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a sunny position in any moderately fertile well-drained soil[200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238]. The sub-species I. britannica chinensis is the form used medicinally[238].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. 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, it is worthwhile trying a sowing in situ in the spring or the autumn. Division in spring or autumn[111].

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Inula britannica chinensis	Xuan Fu Hua	Perennial	0.6	6-9	LMH	SN	M	1	3
Inula cappa	Sheep's Ear	Shrub	1.8	-	LMH	SN	M	0	2
Inula conyza	Ploughman's Spikenard	Biennial/Perennial	1.2	5-9	LMH	N	M	0	1	2
Inula crithmoides	Golden Samphire	Perennial	1.0	-	LMH	SN	M	2	0
Inula helenium	Elecampane, Elecampane inula	Perennial	1.5	4-8	LMH	SN	M	3	3	2
Inula racemosa		Perennial	2.0	6-9	LMH	N	M	0	2
Inula royleana		Perennial	0.6	5-9	LMH	N	M	0	1	1

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.

Inula britannica - L.