Practical
Plants

Peucedanum palustre

Marsh Hog's Fennel

a biennial member of the Peucedanum genus in the family Umbelliferae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial
Height
1.5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Beetles
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Beetles

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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

Although no mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, skin contact with the sap of a number of members in this genus is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people[8][6]. They are also said to contain the alleged 'psychotroph' myristicine[6].

Edible uses

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

The root can be used as a ginger substitute[4][7][2][1][3].

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 root is stimulant[7]. It is used in the treatment of epilepsy[7].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Stimulant

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, the Altai and Urals.
Habitat
Fens and marshes, usually on calcareous soils[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very 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 on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible otherwise in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation

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

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any moisture-retentive soil in a sunny position[5]. Suitable for group plantings in the wild garden[5].

References

  1. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  4. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  6. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  7. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

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