Practical
Plants

Erysimum capitatum

Coastal Wallflower

a biennial or perennial member of the Erysimum genus in the family Brassicaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial, perennial
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.

A preventative against sun burn, the plant was ground up then mixed with water and applied to the skin[6]. It relieves the pain caused by overexposure to heat[2]. A poultice of the whole pounded plant has been applied to open fresh wounds and rheumatic joints[7]. An infusion of the whole plant has been used as a wash on aching muscles[7]. The crushed leaves have been sniffed as a treatment for headaches[7]. A poultice of the warmed root has been applied to treat the pain of toothache[7]. An infusion of the crushed seed has been drunk and used externally in the treatment of stomach or bowel cramps[7].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Skin

Environment

Range
Western N. America - British Columbia to Indiana, south to Texas and California.
Habitat
Found in many habitats from southern British Columbia to California at 750 - 3600 metres[2]. Open dry flats and hillsides, from the lowest valleys to about 3,000 metres in the mountains[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
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 spring in an outdoor seedbed. Germination usually takes place within 3 weeks. Plant the seedlings into their permanent positions when they are large enough to handle. If seed is in short supply, it can be sown in spring in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.

Cultivation

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

Requires a well-drained soil and a sunny position[4]. Dislikes acid soils[4]. Tolerates poor soils[4]. Grows well on a sunny wall and is indeed longer lived in such a position[3]. A polymorphic species[2], it is possibly a form of E. asperum[1].

References

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

    ↩

  2. Arnberger. L. P. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments Ass. 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

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