Practical
Plants

Physocarpus opulifolius

Ninebark

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Physocarpus genus in the family Rosaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
3 m
Spread
4 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

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.

Large medicinal doses can be toxic[4].

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.

A tea made from the inner bark is laxative and emetic[3][4]. It is used internally to treat women's complaints, gonorrhoea, TB and to enhance fertility[3][4]. It is also used as a wash on scrofulous glands in the neck[4]. Some caution is advised, this herb is best used only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. See the notes above on toxicity.

Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Infertility
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Women's complaints

Environment

Range
Central and Eastern N. America - Quebec to South Carolina, west to Alabama, Arkansas and Minnesota.
Habitat
Banks of streams[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - we do not have any information for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe if possible in a cold frame. If sown in the spring it is likely to require a period of cold stratification. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Cuttings of greenwood, June in a closed frame[2].

Cultivation

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

Prefers an acid soil, quickly becoming chlorotic when growing on shallow chalk[2]. Succeeds in a moist moderately fertile soil in full sun[2]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -25°c[2]. There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[2]. Flowers are produced on the previous year's growth[1]. A useful plant for rough shrubberies where plants are more or less left to look after themselves[1].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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