Practical
Plants

Mitella diphylla

Mitrewort

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Mitella
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.4 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

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.

An infusion of the leaves is used to treat fevers[1]. The infusion can also be used as eye drops for sore eyes[4].

Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Ophthalmic

Material uses

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

A good ground cover in moist woodland[1]. Plants form a carpet and should be spaced about 45cm apart each way[2].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Quebec to Minnesota, North Carolina and Missouri.
Habitat
Rich woodlands, meadows and swamps[1][3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing it as soon as it is ripe or in early spring in a greenhouse. 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.

Succeeds in moist woodlands and in pockets in rock gardens[1]. Requires a moist humus-rich soil[2]. Self-sows when grown in a rich soil[1] and usually spreads quickly by this means[2].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩

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

    ↩

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