Lysimachia nummularia
Creeping Jenny
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Genus
- Lysimachia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 0.15 m
- Spread
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- self fertile
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Flies, Self
Uses
Edible uses
A tea is made from the leaves and flowers[13][15][4][5].
- Product or use
- Tea
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 herb, used fresh or dried, is antiscorbutic, mildly astringent, diuretic and vulnerary[12][16][13]. For drying, the herb is harvested in June[12]. Creeping Jenny is a very good wound-herb, the fresh leaves being bruised and applied externally to the affected area[12]. An infusion is used to treat internal bleeding and diarrhoea[16].
- Product or use
- Antiscorbutic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Vulnerary
Material uses
Can be used as a ground cover plant in moist soils but requires weeding for the first year or so. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way and form a carpet, rooting as they spread[9].
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and east to Spain, N. Greece and the Caucasus.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- aquatic
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[8]. This species rarely produces seed in Britain[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[8]. 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
An easily grown plant, succeeding in a moist loamy soil[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Grows well in marshy soil and in shallow water in pond margins[11][14]. Prefers a shady position[2] but also succeeds in full sun[7]. Plants are hardy to at least -25°c[6]. Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[10]. A very ornamental plant[1].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Muhlberg. H. Complete Guide to Water Plants. E. P. Publishing Ltd. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-7158-0789-7
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2