Practical
Plants

Pimpinella major

Greater Burnet Saxifrage

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.8 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

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

An essential oil from the roots is used as a flavouring in candy, liqueurs etc[2].

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 leaves are diaphoretic, diuretic, resolvent and stomachic[6]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and dried for later use[6]. The root is anti-inflammatory, mildly astringent and expectorant[7]. The fresh root is very hot and acrid, but this pungency is greatly reduced when the root is dried[6]. When chewed, the fresh root is effective in treating toothaches and paralysis of the tongue[6]. An effective diuretic, the root is used in treating disorders arising from obstructions of the viscera[6]. The root is also used for soothing coughs or the effects of laryngitis and bronchitis[7]. The roots can be harvested in the spring or autumn and are dried for later use[7]. The seeds are carminative[6].

Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Portugal, the Balkans and Caucasus.
Habitat
Hedge banks, woodland edges and other grassy places[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
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.

The seed requires a period of cold stratification. If you can obtain fresh seed then it is best sown immediately. This can be done in situ if you have sufficient seed, but if you only have a small quantity then it is safer to sow it in pots in a cold frame. Sow stored seed as soon as you can obtain it, this is probably best done in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the pot-grown seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation

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

Easily grown in any good soil[1], preferring rather moist conditions[3]. Grows best in a cool position[5]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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

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  3. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

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

  5. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  7. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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