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Spigelia marilandica - L.

Common Name Indian Pink, Woodland pinkroot
Family Loganiaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards This plant is poisonous in large quantities[21].
Habitats Rich dry soils on the edges of woods[4, 43].
Range South-eastern N. America - New Jersey to Florida.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Spigelia marilandica Indian Pink, Woodland pinkroot


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Phyzome
Spigelia marilandica Indian Pink, Woodland pinkroot
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spigelia_marilandica_Ypey56.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Spigelia marilandica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower in 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, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady 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.
Anthelmintic  Narcotic

The whole plant, but especially the root, is anthelmintic and narcotic[4, 21, 46]. A safe and effective anthelmintic when used in the proper dosage, it is especially effective with tapeworms and roundworm[4]. Its use should always be followed by a saline aperient such as magnesium sulphate otherwise unpleasant side effects will follow[4]. Another report says that it can be used with other herbs such as Foeniculum vulgare or Cassia senna[254]. These will ensure that the root is expelled along with the worms since the root is potentially toxic if it is absorbed through the gut[254]. The root is best used when fresh but can be harvested in the autumn then dried and stored[213]. It should not be stored for longer than 2 years[213]. Use with caution and only under professional supervision[21, 254]. The plant contains the alkaloid spigiline,which is largely responsible for the medicinal action but side effects of an overdose can include increased heart action, vertigo, convulsions and possibly death[222, 274].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most fertile soils in semi-shade[200]. Tolerates full sun if the soil remains reliably moist in the growing season[200], in a shady position it tolerates considerably drier soils[4]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200]. A very ornamental plant[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to 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 - requires stratification, pre-chill for 3 weeks prior to sowing. It will usually germinate in 1 - 3 months at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in the spring. Basal cuttings in late 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, Missouri, Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee)

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

43200274

Links / References

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

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Subject : Spigelia marilandica  
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