Practical
Plants

Andromeda polifolia

Marsh Andromeda

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Andromeda genus in the family Ericaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Lepidoptera, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A toxin, called 'andromedotoxin' can be released from the plant if it is infused in boiling water[6]. See notes below regarding use of the plant for tea.

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The tender leaves and shoot-tips are boiled as an aromatic tea[2][4]. A delicious drink[6]. Some caution is advised since boiling the plant or infusing it in hot water is said to release a toxic chemical[6]. It is safer to soak the leaves in a jar of water in direct sunlight to make 'sun tea'[6].

Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is used as a respiratory aid in the treatment of catarrh[8].

Product or use
Pectoral

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Tannin is obtained from the leaves and twigs[9].

Product or use
Tannin

Environment

Range
Northern temperate regions, in Europe, including Britain, Asia and America.
Habitat
Bogs, rarely on wet heaths, at altitudes up to 500 metres[3]. Rare and decreasing in the south of Britain[3].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow February/March in an acid compost in the greenhouse. Surface sow or only just cover the seed and place in a lightly shaded position[10][1]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 12°c[1]. Prick out the young seedlings into individual pots as soon as possible, they are prone to damp-off and so should be kept well ventilated[10]. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out in early summer once they are 15cm or more tall. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 7cm with a heel, July/August in a frame in a shady position. Takes 15 months[10]. Layering in August in a semi-shady position. Takes 18 months[10]. Division in early spring. The plants should be 'dropped' beforehand[10]. This entails digging up the plant 6 to 12 months earlier and replanting it somewhat more deeply. The buried branches will then root and form new plants when divided.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a well-drained, moisture-retentive, lime-free, humus- rich soil and a shady position[1][5][7]. Plants spread slowly by means of suckers when they are grown in a suitable position[5]. A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[5].

References

  1. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩

  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  8. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

  9. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  10. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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