Practical
Plants

Epilobium hirsutum

Codlins And Cream

a perennial member of the Epilobium genus in the family Onagraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
2 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Hoverflies, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Hoverflies, 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.

One report says that the plant might be poisonous[4]. Another says that it causes epileptiform convulsions[8].

Edible uses

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

The leaves are used to make a tea[5]. This is often drunk in Russia, where it is called 'kaporie tea'[10]. The leaves are also sometimes sucked for their salty taste[5]. Edible leaves[3]. No more details are given in the report but caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves
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 leaves have been used as astringents, but there are some reports of violent poisoning with epileptic-like convulsions as a result of its use[10].

Product or use
Astringent

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and east to N. E. and S. Africa, temperate Asia.
Habitat
Stream banks, marshes, drier parts of fens etc, to 360 metres[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
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 - sow early spring in situ or as soon as the seed is ripe. Division in spring or autumn. 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 a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in most soils[1]. Prefers a well-drained but moisture retentive soil in a sunny position[7] or in partial shade[6]. A vigorous and invasive plant, only really suitable for larger areas in the wild garden where this habit is not a nuisance[7]. The stems and leaves are covered with a soft down that emits the smell of the Moss Rose and Eglantine. The plants have the refreshing scent of ripe apples[9]. A good late source of nectar for bees[7].

References

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

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

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

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  4. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

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  9. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  10. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

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