Practical
Plants

Cowania mexicana

Cliffrose

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Cowania genus in the family Rosaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Cowania
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
2 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

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.

A decoction of the green branches, together with sagebrush (Artemisia spp) and juniper (Juniperus spp) has been used as an expectorant and laxative treatment for colds[4]. A decoction of the leaves and flowering stems has been used to treat venereal disease and pains over the kidneys[4]. The leaves have been chewed in the treatment of arthritis[4]. The leaves have been made into a tea for bathing and cleansing the skin[4]. It is an antiseptic wash, used for treating smallpox or measles[4].

Product or use
Antiarthritic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Skin

Material uses

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

The fibres in the bark have been used for making sandals, rope, sleeping mats and clothing[3][4]. The bark has been crushed, rubbed until soft and then used as a lining in shoes to keep the feet warm[4]. It has also been used as an absorbent nappy for babies and as a soft surface for babies to lay on in cradles[4]. The fine, soft bark has been used as a tinder when starting fires with a fire drill[4].

Product or use
Baby care
Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Insulation
Product or use
Tinder

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - Utah to California and Colorado, south to central Mexico.
Habitat
Dry rocky slopes and mesas, usually between 1050 - 2400 metres[5][3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - we have no information for this species, but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation

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

Requires a very sunny position[1] and a calcareous soil[2]. This species is also likely to require a very well-drained light or medium soil[K]. The cliffrose is not very hardy in Britain, it is unlikely to succeed outdoors in any but the mildest areas of the country and will probably require the protection of a sunny wall even there[11, 200, K]. The flowers are resinous and strongly fragrant[3].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

  3. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  5. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩

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