Practical
Plants

Ligusticum porteri

Porter's Licorice Root

a perennial member of the Ligusticum genus in the family Umbelliferae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.9 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

The leaves are used as a flavouring, a celery substitute[1].

Product or use
Condiment

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 roots, seed and essential oil (obtained from the roots and the seed) of this plant are a bitter, camphoraceous warming herb that stimulates the circulation, kidneys and uterus[4]. They are also antirheumatic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, digestive, expectorant, febrifuge and stomachic[1][2][4]. They are used internally in the treatment of eruptive fevers, bronchial infections, digestive complaints, toothache, painful menstruation and retained placenta[4]. They have also been used to treat TB. and headaches[1][2]. An infusion of the roots is used externally to treat body aches[5]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[4].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Kidney
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
TB
Product or use
Uterine tonic

Environment

Range
South-western N. America.
Habitat
Moist fertile ground, almost to the timberline, 2000 - 3500 metres in Texas[1]. Upland meadows and ravines[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
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.

The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in the autumn. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible in a greenhouse or cold frame[3]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer if they have grown large enough. Otherwise, keep them in a cold frame for the first winter and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position[3]. Succeeds in dry soils[4]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[4].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  4. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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

    ↩

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