Practical
Plants

Pulsatilla patens

Pasque Flower

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

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[11].

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.

Appetizer, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant[10][4][6]. Use of the plant lessens sexual excitement. It does not diminish sexual power but rather strengthens it by lessening morbid excitement[4]. A drug derived from the chopped whole plant induces vomiting and irritation of the kidneys[6]. In high doses it acts as a depressant on the central nervous system and the heart[6]. A decoction of the plant has been used to speed delivery of a child[7]. A poultice of the fresh crushed leaves has been applied in the treatment of rheumatism and neuralgia[7]. A volatile oil contained in the plant is used as an irritant[5].

Product or use
Appetizer
Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Irritant
Product or use
Oxytoxic
Product or use
Stimulant

Environment

Range
N. Europe to Siberia.
Habitat
Sparse pine forests and dry sunny slopes[12]. Grassy slopes, mountain slopes under forests at around 1100 metres in northern China[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, 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[3]. Lime tolerant[1][3]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Large plants transplant badly[3]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[9].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2

  5. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩

  6. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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