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Polymnia uvedalia - L.

Common Name Bearsfoot
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rich woods and thickets[43].
Range Eastern N. America - New York to Indiana, Tennessee, Florida and Texas.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Polymnia uvedalia Bearsfoot


Thomas G. Barnes @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Polymnia uvedalia Bearsfoot
William S. Justice @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Polymnia uvedalia is a PERENNIAL growing to 2.7 m (8ft 10in). It is in flower in September. 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. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Smallanthus uvedalia. (L.)MacKenzie. ex Small.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

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.
Anodyne  Laxative  Poultice  Salve  Stimulant

Bearsfoot root was used by the North American Indians as a stimulant and laxative remedy[254]. It is perhaps best known for its use as a hair tonic whilst the root is also taken internally as a treatment for non-malignant swollen glands and especially for mastitis[254]. The root is anodyne, laxative and stimulant[4, 61]. The root is said to have a beneficial effect on the liver, stomach and spleen and may be taken to relieve indigestion and counteract liver malfunction[254]. It is said to be of great use when applied externally to stimulate hair growth and is an ingredient of many hair lotions and ointments[4]. A poultice of the bruised root has been used as a dressing and salve on burns, inflammations and cuts[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hair

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a warm position in a deep rich soil[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. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2].

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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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,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 late winter in a warm greenhouse[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection such as a cloche until they are growing away well. Division in spring. Basal cuttings in the spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

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

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Polymnia edulisYacon StrawberryPerennial1.0 7-10 FLMHNM40 

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

143235

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Gazmend Skenderi   Mon Mar 13 2006

The chemical constituents of Polymnia uvedalia L. (Bear's Foot)are not known. Based on old reports it contains tannins, a resin and sugars. I, Gazmend Skenderi, in my recent reference book titled Herbal Vade Mecum, have suggested for the possible constituents with their pharmacolocical properties. So, I should not be listed under Reader's comments, but under the cited Authors / References. Thanks also for the link. Gazmend Skenderi HERBACY PRESS www.herbacy-press.com

HERBACY PRESS

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