Pulsatilla vulgaris
Pasque Flower
a perennial member of the Pulsatilla genus in the family Ranunculaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus
- Pulsatilla
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.2 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[15]. Repeated handling of the plant can cause skin irritation in some people[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.
Pasque flower is considered by herbalists to be of highly valuable modern curative use as a herbal simple[12]. The plant contains the glycoside ranunculin, this is converted to anemonine when the plant is dried and is the medicinally active principle in the plant[11]. The whole plant is alterative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, nervine and sedative[12][13][2]. It is taken internally in the treatment of pre-menstrual syndrome, inflammations of the reproductive organs, tension headaches, neuralgia, insomnia, hyperactivity, bacterial skin infections, septicaemia, spasmodic coughs in asthma, whooping cough and bronchitis[9]. Externally, it is used to treat eye conditions such as diseases of the retina, senile cataract and glaucoma[10]. This remedy should be used with caution[2], excessive doses cause diarrhoea and vomiting[9]. It should not be prescribed to patients with colds[9]. See also the notes above on toxicity[2]. The plant is harvested soon after flowering, it is more poisonous when fresh and so should be carefully preserved by drying[12][11]. It should not be stored for longer than 12 months before being used[12]. In homeopathy, the plant is considered to be specific in the treatment of measles[10]. It is also used for treating nettle rash, toothache, earache and bilious indigestion[10].
- Product or use
- Alterative
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Homeopathy
- Product or use
- Nervine
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Sedative
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A green dye is obtained from the flowers[9]. Plants can be grown to form a ground cover, they are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[8].
- Product or use
- Dye
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- Northern and central Europe, including Britain, to W. Asia.
- 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[4]. 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[7].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a well-drained humus rich gritty soil in a sunny position[7]. Lime tolerant[1]. Prefers lime[5]. Grows best in a well-drained chalky soil in a dry warm situation[11]. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant[6]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c[5]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[5]. The plant has become rare in its natural environment, due partly to over-collecting and partly to habitat loss[9]. Large plants transplant badly[7]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[14].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394