Practical
Plants

Pulsatilla pratensis

Pasque Flower

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.45 m
Spread
0.3 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.

The plant is slightly toxic, the toxins are dissipated by heat or by drying the plant[9].

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.

Considered by herbalists to be of highly valuable modern curative use as a herbal simple[7], the whole plant is alterative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic and nervine[7]. The plant is harvested soon after flowering and should be carefully preserved by drying[7]. It should not be stored for longer than 12 months before being used[7]. Use with caution, see notes above on toxicity. The whole plant is used externally to treat ulcers and inflammations of the eyes[6]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the whole fresh plant, gathered when in flower[6]. It has a wide range of applications and is especially useful in the treatment of babies and children[6].

Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Skin

Material uses

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

Plants can be grown to form a ground cover, they are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[5].

Environment

Range
C. and E. Europe.
Habitat
Open fields[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

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[1]. They can also be taken in July/August, planted vertically in pots in a greenhouse or frame. Some care is needed since the plant resents root disturbance[4].

Cultivation

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

Requires a well-drained humus rich gritty soil in a sunny position[4]. Tolerates alkaline soils[4]. Prefers lime[2]. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant[3]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[2]. Large plants transplant badly[4]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[8].

References

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

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

    ↩1↩2

  3. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

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  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. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

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  6. Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-333-55581-3

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

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

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