Practical
Plants

Pulsatilla dahurica

a perennial member of the Pulsatilla genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

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 has been seen for this species, at least one member of the genus is slightly toxic, the toxins being dissipated by heat or by drying the plant[8].

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 anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent and sedative[1][3][5]. The root is an effective cure for bacterial and amoebic dysentery[3][5]. It is also used in the treatment of nose bleeds and haemorrhoids and is used externally to treat Trichomonas vaginitis[3]. The fresh herb is a cardiac and nervous sedative, producing a hypnotic state with a diminution of the senses followed by a paralysing action[5]. A constituent similar to digitalis can be extracted from the whole herb with the roots removed[3]. This is cardiotonic[3].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Hypnotic
Product or use
Sedative

Environment

Range
E. Asia - N. China, Japan, E. Siberia.
Habitat
River pebbles, open or shrub-covered[9]. Alpine meadows[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early summer in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in about 2 - 3 weeks. Sow stored seed in late winter in a cold frame. Germination takes about 1 - 6 months at 15°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the spring. Root cuttings, 4cm long taken in early winter, potted up in a mixture of peat and sand[2]. They can also be taken in July/August, planted vertically in pots in a greenhouse or frame.

Cultivation

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

Requires a well-drained humus-rich gritty soil and a sunny position[4]. Tolerant of alkaline soils[4]. This species is closely related to P. cernua[4]. Large plants have a deep woody rootstock and transplant badly[4]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[7].

References

  1. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩

  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. 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

  6. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

  7. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩

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

    ↩

  9. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩

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