Practical
Plants

Triosteum perfoliatum

Wild Coffee

a perennial member of the Triosteum genus in the family Caprifoliaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
0.6 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

The dried and roasted seeds have been used as a coffee substitute[1][3][5]. Opinions on the taste vary wildly[3].

Product or use
Coffee

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.

A decoction of the leaves is diaphoretic[5]. It is used in the treatment of fever and ague[3][4]. The roots are diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, pectoral and stomachic[5][7]. In large doses they are emetic and cathartic[5]. An infusion of the root has been used to treat severe colds, pneumonia, irregular or profuse menses, painful urination, stomach problems and constipation[5][7]. The infusion has also been used as an aid to putting on weight for both adults and babies[7]. A poultice of the roots is applied to snakebites, sores and felons[5]. An infusion of the plant has been used for soaking sore feet. An ooze from the plant has been used as a wash for swollen legs[7]. The rhizome contains an alkaloid and has been used as a cathartic[4].

Product or use
Cathartic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Stomachic

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Massachusetts to Alabama, Kentucky and Kansas, west to Nebraska.
Habitat
Rich soils[6]. Shady positions in forests on limestone soils[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
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 early spring. 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 late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring[2].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in a light humus-rich soil in part shade[2]. Succeeds in the wild or woodland garden[2].

References

  1. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

Edit this page