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Chrysosplenium alternifolium - L.

Common Name Golden Saxifrage, Alternate-leaf golden saxifrage, Iowa golden saxifrage
Family Saxifragaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Acid soils[200] by the sides of streams, wet rocks and wet ground in woods, usually in shade[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south to C. France, east to C. Asia and the Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Chrysosplenium alternifolium Golden Saxifrage,  Alternate-leaf golden saxifrage, Iowa golden saxifrage


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Chrysosplenium_alternifolium0.jpg
Chrysosplenium alternifolium Golden Saxifrage,  Alternate-leaf golden saxifrage, Iowa golden saxifrage
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:BotBln

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Chrysosplenium alternifolium is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from April to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Beetles, flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw[2, 46, 61, 66, 105, 177]. Added to salads[183]. The leaves are rather small, and there is a distinct bitterness in the flavour, especially during hot weather[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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The plants creeping habit makes it a good ground cover for the bog garden[200].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils if they are moist[200]. Requires a constantly wet but well-drained soil[200]. Prefers a shady position, succeeding in woodland[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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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 or autumn in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame. Stand the pot in 2cm of water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a tray of water in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

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
Chrysosplenium americanumWater Mat, American golden saxifragePerennial0.1 3-7  LMHSNMWe102
Chrysosplenium carnosum Perennial0.1 -  LMHSNMWe02 
Chrysosplenium oppositifoliumGolden SaxifragePerennial0.2 4-8  LMHSNMWe203

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

17200

Links / References

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

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