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Umbilicus rupestris - (Salisb.)Dandy.

Common Name Pennywort
Family Crassulaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Crevices of rocks and walls, especially in acid and damp conditions[17, 53]. Avoids alkaline soils[200].
Range Europe, from Britain and France south and east to N. Africa and the Mediterraean.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Umbilicus rupestris Pennywort


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Umbilicus rupestris Pennywort
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Umbilicus rupestris is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects? Self. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

U. pedulinus. Cotyledon umbilicus-veneris.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; North Wall. In. East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 105, K]. A very acceptable mild flavour in the winter and early spring, they can be used in quantity in salads at this time[K]. The leaves become rather stronger-tasting in the summer and are not so pleasant then[K].

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.
Analgesic  Diuretic  Epilepsy  Poultice

The leaves are mildly analgesic[7]. The juice and extract of the plant have an old reputation for the treatment of epilepsy[4]. The leaves are also made into a poultice and used in the treatment of piles, slight burns and scalds[4, 7]. A decoction of the leaves is considered to be cooling and diuretic and the juice taken inwardly is said to be excellent for treating inflammations of the liver and spleen[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any near neutral, gritty, moisture retentive but well-drained soil in sun or light shade[200]. Plants are often found growing on walls, even succeeding on old brick and mortar walls[K] Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200]. A very attractive plant for the rock garden[53], the leaves often stay green all winter[4].

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 spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring. Very easy, pant them straight out into their permanent positions. Leaf cuttings[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Egypt (Sinai), Lebanon, Turkey EUROPE: United Kingdom, Ireland, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia

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

(Salisb.)Dandy.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Useful pictures for identification.   Apr 24 2011 12:00AM

Edible Britain

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Subject : Umbilicus rupestris  
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