Practical
Plants

Heuchera micrantha

Alum Root

a perennial evergreen member of the Heuchera genus in the family Saxifragaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.7 m
Spread
0.4 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

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

Young leaves - raw or cooked[10]. Not very palatable[3].

Plant part
Leaves

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 root is antiphlogistic, antiseptic, astringent, febrifuge and ophthalmic[10][3]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of liver complaints and sore throats[8]. A small piece of the cleaned and peeled root has been chewed to treat sore mouths and gums[8]. A poultice of the mashed root, combined with the pitch from Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) has been used to treat wounds[8]. The poultice was covered with a cloth and, when it was taken off, all the poison was extracted from the open wound[8]. The chewed leaves or roots have also been used on their own as a dressing on wounds[8].

Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Poultice

Material uses

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

The root can be used as an alum substitute, this is a mordant used in fixing dyes[3]. The root is rich in tannin, is this the active ingredient that acts as a mordant?[3]. The plant can be crushed and then rubbed on the hair as a tonic to make it grow[8]. A good ground cover plant for the woodland garden[5]. Plants should be spaced about 45cm apart each way[6].

Product or use
Hair care
Product or use
Mordant

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Western N. America - British Columbia to California.
Habitat
Moist banks of humus and rocks in woodland below 600 metres[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
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 a warm greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination is usually fairly rapid. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. The seed can also be sown in the middle of spring in an outdoor seedbed and planted out in early summer. Alternatively, you can sow the seed in an outdoor seedbed in the middle of summer for planting out in the following spring. Division in March or October[1][2]. It is best to divide the plants in August or early September, making sure that the woody roots are planted quite deeply with only the crown of foliage above the ground[7].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in any good sweet garden soil that does not dry out in spring[1]. Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade[1][2]. Prefers a well-drained fairly rich and not too heavy soil[2]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[4]. Closely related to H. glabra[5], it is apt to hybridize with other members of this genus[2].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  6. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  7. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  9. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

    ↩

  10. Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. 1962-00-00 ISBN 0-911010-54-8

    ↩1↩2

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