Practical
Plants

Polygala sibirica

Yuan Zhi

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.15 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.

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, at least one member of this genus is said to be poisonous in large quantities.

Edible uses

Young leaves - cooked[5][2][4]. Root - cooked[5][2][4]. We have no more details on this species but the root of another member of this genus has its core removed before the root is cooked in several changes of water.

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

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 leaves are used in the treatment of spermatorrhoea[8]. They are ingested as a kidney tonic[8]. The roots are diuretic, expectorant, haemolytic and sedative[12][3][8]. Their use lowers the blood pressure[3]. They are used in the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, insomnia, infantile convulsions, amnesia, sexual impotency etc[12][3][8][9]. The plant is also considered to be analgesic, diuretic, expectorant and nervine[12][8].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Haemolytic
Product or use
Infertility
Product or use
Kidney
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Sedative

Environment

Range
E. Europe to E. Asia.
Habitat
Dry calcareous slopes in Ukraine[10]. Open slopes in the Himalayas from Pakistan to Tibet at 1600 - 3600 metres[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[7]. 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. Division. Cuttings of young shoots in a frame in late spring[1].

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. It is a very variable plant[11]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a moderately fertile moisture-retentive well-drained soil, succeeding in full sun if the soil remains moist throughout the growing season, otherwise it is best in semi-shade[6]. Dislikes shade according to another report.

References

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

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  7. Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  10. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  11. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  12. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2↩3

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