Practical
Plants

Herniaria hirsuta

Hairy Rupture Wort

an annual or perennial member of the Herniaria genus in the family Caryophyllaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual, perennial
Height
0.02 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects, Self

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 plant is diuretic[4]. It is used in the treatment of sore throats[4]. The plant contains coumarins and saponins, which are toxic, and so it should be used with some caution.

Product or use
Diuretic

Material uses

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

A good ground cover plant, allowing spring bulbs to grow through it[3]. An aqueous extract of the plant is a hand cleanser, making the skin soft and supple[4].

Product or use
Soap

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Central and Southern Europe to Africa and Asia. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Sandy ground[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, drought
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation

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

Grows well in hot dry soils[1]. Dislikes excessive moisture[1]. Succeeds in very poor soils[1]. Useful for covering rocks or as a carpet bedding[1], it makes a good ground cover for spring bulbs since they can grow through it easily[3].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  4. 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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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