Geum pentapetalum
Taxonomy and growth
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.
The whole plant, but especially the root, is anodyne, astringent, febrifuge. It is especially good in the treatment of children with fevers etc[2].
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan, Kamchatka, Aleutian Islands.
- Habitat
- Wet slopes and sometimes on sphagnum bogs in high mountains, C. and N. Japan[4]. Stony ground in mountain valleys[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer' Division in spring or autumn. This should be done every 3 - 4 years in order to maintain the vigour of the plant[3]. 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
Easily grown in any moderately good garden soil that is well-drained[1]. Prefers a soil rich in organic matter[3]. Plants are hardy to about -10°c but in areas with prolonged cold winter temperatures it is best to give the plants a protective mulch of evergreen branches or dry bracken[3]. Cultivated as a medicinal plant in Szechwan, W. china[2]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[3].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00