Practical
Plants

Saxifraga stolonifera

Strawberry Saxifrage

a perennial evergreen member of the Saxifraga genus in the family Saxifragaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.15 m
Spread
0.3 m

Uses

Edible uses

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

Leaves - raw or cooked[2][5]. Relished in Japan when parboiled or fried and used in salads[6]. Flowering stem - said to be tasty when salted[6].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Stem

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.

Antibacterial, antiphlogistic[4]. There are growth-promoting substances in the leaves[4]. The whole plant is depurative, febrifuge and suppurative[3][11]. Its use promotes the drainage of pus[3]. A decoction is used in the treatment of boils and abscesses, poisonous snakebites, otitis media, acute attacks of convulsions and haematemesis[3]. The leaf juice is applied to aching ears, abscesses and inflammations[11].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Febrifuge

Material uses

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

Can be grown as a ground cover plant in a shady position[8]. Plants should be spaced about 45cm apart each way[10].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - W. China, Japan. Naturalized in C. and S. Europe[12].
Habitat
Shady cliffs and mossy rocks at low altitudes[7]. Occasionally naturalized on walls in C. and S. Europe[12].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame in the spring. Surface sow, or only just cover the seed, and make sure that the compost does not dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Cultivation

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

Prefers a cool position in a moist humus-rich soil[1]. Prefers an acid soil[9]. Thrives on heavy soils in the milder areas of the country[10]. Usually thrives in a poor soil with a northerly aspect[1]. Grows well in light woodland[9] or in a shady position in a rock garden. The plant is hardy to about -10°c[7]. The leaves and the flowers, however, are liable to be damaged by autumn frosts[9]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is sometimes grown as a house plant[9]. A polymorphic species[1], it is closely related to S. cortusifolia, differing in having runners[9].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

  3. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  8. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

Edit this page