Practical
Plants

Erodium stephanianum

an annual member of the Erodium genus in the family Geraniaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Erodium
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

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.

The aerial parts of the plant are antirheumatic, antiseptic and astringent[3]. They are used in the treatment of acute and chronic rheumatalgia, diarrhoea, dysentery and enteritis[3]. The plant has also shown antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, Pneumococci, Shigella flexneri etc[3]. A paste of the plant is applied externally in the treatment of gout[5].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent

Material uses

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

A green dye can be obtained from the whole plant. It does not require a mordant[2].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Mongolia, Siberia and the Himalayas.
Habitat
Dry slopes, sandy river banks and as a weed of cultivation[6]. Open placs at elevations of 2500 - 4000 metres in Nepal[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
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 in situ as soon as the seed is ripe in the late summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in late spring[1]. It usually germinates readily[4].

Cultivation

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

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a sunny well-drained position and a limy soil or at least one that is not acid[1].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩

  3. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  5. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2

  6. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩

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