Practical
Plants

Clintonia borealis

Bluebeard

a perennial member of the Clintonia genus in the family Convallariaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

Young leaves - raw or cooked[13][2][4]. Harvested in spring before they fully unfurl[14], they have a slightly sweetish cucumber flavour[12][5]. Older leaves can be used as a potherb[12].

Plant part
Leaves

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 leaves are cardiac and disinfectant[9]. A poultice has been applied to open wounds, burns, ulcers, scrofulous sores and infections[9].

Product or use
Cardiac
Product or use
Disinfectant
Product or use
Poultice

Material uses

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

The crushed leaves have been rubbed on the face and hands as a protection from mosquitoes[9].

Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
North-eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Manitoba, south to N. Carolina and Wisconsin..
Habitat
Rich woodlands, deep thickets, higher elevations in cool moist sites[11][14].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it usually germinates in the spring[8]. Stored seed should be sown in late winter or early spring in a cold frame[3]. It sometimes germinates within 1 - 3 months at 15°c, but may take a year. The seed should be completely separated from the fruit and should only just be covered by soil[3][8]. If the seed has been sown thinly enough, then it is possible to leave the seedlings in the pot for their first growing season, dividing them after they become dormant. Make sure to give them liquid feeds at intervals through the spring and summer. Otherwise prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Plant out in late spring or early summer at the beginning of their second or third years growth. Division in spring as new growth is just commencing[8].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a damp peaty sandy soil in a cool damp shady position[1][10][8]. Requires a moist neutral to acid soil[8]. The dormant plant is hardy to at least -25°c, but new growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts[6]. Plants only produce their fruit in warm seasons in Britain[8]. They have creeping underground stems and form dense colonies[6]. This species is closely related to C. andrewsiana[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  7. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00

    ↩

  11. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  12. Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  14. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩1↩2

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