Practical
Plants

Cypripedium acaule

Nerve Root

a perennial member of the Cypripedium genus in the family Orchidaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.4 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

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.

Contact with the fresh plant can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[1][4]. Hairs on the leaves can cause a rash similar to poison ivy rash in some people[5].

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 root is antispasmodic, nervine, sedative, tonic[3][6]. It is said to be the equivalent of Valerian, Valeriana officinalis, in treating nervous complaints, sleeplessness etc[3]. The roots have also been used in the treatment of menstrual disorders, stomach aches, kidney and urinary tract disorders and venereal disease[8]. An infusion of the dried tuber is used, the tubers are harvested in the autumn[5]. The active ingredients are not water-soluble[6].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Kidney
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Nebraska, south to Mississippi and Alabama.
Habitat
Usually found in the higher and dryer parts of coniferous woods, often in a thin layer of pine needles over rocks[7], it is also sometimes found in bogs and wet places[5][7].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
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 - surface sow, preferably as soon as it is ripe, in the greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed of this species is extremely simple, it has a minute embryo surrounded by a single layer of protective cells. It contains very little food reserves and depends upon a symbiotic relationship with a species of soil-dwelling fungus. The fungal hyphae invade the seed and enter the cells of the embryo. The orchid soon begins to digest the fungal tissue and this acts as a food supply for the plant until it is able to obtain nutrients from decaying material in the soil[2]. It is best to use some of the soil that is growing around established plants in order to introduce the fungus, or to sow the seed around a plant of the same species and allow the seedlings to grow on until they are large enough to move. Division with care in early spring, the plants resent disturbance[2]. Remove part of the original rootball with the soil intact[2]. Division is best carried out towards the end of the growing season, since food reserves are fairly evenly distributed through the rhizome[7]. Small divisions of a lead and two buds, or divisions from the back (older) part of the rhizome without any developed buds, establish quickly using this method[7]. Replant immediately in situ[7].

Cultivation

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

Requires a position in semi-shade on a damp acid soil that is rich in humus[2]. Plants grow well in a woodland garden or shady border[7]. Orchids are, in general, shallow-rooting plants of well-drained low-fertility soils. Their symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil allows them to obtain sufficient nutrients and be able to compete successfully with other plants. They are very sensitive to the addition of fertilizers or fungicides since these can harm the symbiotic fungus and thus kill the orchid[7]. Resents root disturbance[2]. A very ornamental plant[3], it is quite difficult in cultivation and plants will often flower well in their first year then disappear[7]. This is possibly because the plants are sold bare-rooted and do not have the necessary fungal symbiant they need in order to thrive[7]. Only buy pot-grown plants in order to try and ensure that the symbiant is present[K]. The plants are subject to damage by slugs[2].

References

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

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  2. 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

  3. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  5. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2

  7. Cribb. P. & Bailes. C. Hardy Orchids. Orchids for the Garden and Frost-free Greenhouse. Christopher Helm. London. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0 7470 0416 1

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

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

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