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Petasites hybridus
  • Butterbur

a perennial member of the Petasites genus in the family Compositae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementshigh
    High
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Petasites hybridus has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Petasites hybridus.

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Petasites hybridus.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Butterbur is widely considered to be an effective cough remedy and recent experiments have shown it to have remarkable antispasmodic and pain-relieving properties[1]. It acts specifically on the bile ducts, stomach and duodenum[2]. The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, in isolation these are toxic to the liver[2].

The root and the leaves are analgesic, antispasmodic, cardiotonic, diaphoretic and diuretic[3][4]. A decoction is taken as a remedy for various respiratory problems such as asthma, colds, bronchitis and whooping cough and also other complaints such as fevers and urinary complaints[3][2]. It is also very effective in the treatment of gastrointestinal complaints and biliary dyskinesia[1][2]. Externally it can be used as a poultice to speed the healing of wounds and skin eruptions[2]. The leaves are harvested in early summer, the root in late summer to autumn. Both can be dried for later use[4]. Because the plant contains potentially toxic alkaloids its internal use cannot be recommended[2].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the roots[3]. It is used in the treatment of severe and obstinate neuralgia[3].

Unknown part

Analgesic
Antispasmodic
Cardiotonic
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Homeopathy

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe or in early spring. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division succeeds at almost any time of the year. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Petasites hybridus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[5], but prefers a deep fertile humus-rich soil that is permanently moist but not stagnant, succeeding in shade, semi-shade or full sun[6]. Requires a moist shady position[7]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[8].

A very invasive plant, too rampant for anything other than the wild garden[7][6]. Its roots are very difficult to eradicate[6]. It is best to only grow the male form in the garden to prevent unwanted seedlings popping up all over the place[6]. The growth is so dense and vigorous, with large leaves that can be 75cm or more across, that virtually no other plant is able to grow amongst this species[3]. Plants are a useful early nectar source for bees[6].

Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Petasites hybridus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Petasites hybridus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Petasites hybridus
Genus
Petasites
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[1][2][3][4]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[9][6]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    1 x 3 meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious

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    "image:Gewoehnliche Pestwurz Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Gewoehnliche Pestwurz Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Gewoehnliche Pestwurz Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Gewoehnliche Pestwurz Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Gewoehnliche Pestwurz Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Gewoehnliche Pestwurz Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Gewoehnliche Pestwurz Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Gewoehnliche Pestwurz Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Gewoehnliche Pestwurz Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Gewoehnliche Pestwurz Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.6 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    5. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    8. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Gewoehnliche Pestwurz Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Petasites_hybridus&oldid=79204"
    Facts about "Petasites hybridus"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCompositae +
    Belongs to genusPetasites +
    Has binomial namePetasites hybridus +
    Has common nameButterbur +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has imageGewoehnliche Pestwurz Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has mature width3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnalgesic +, Antispasmodic +, Cardiotonic +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic + and Homeopathy +
    Has primary imageGewoehnliche Pestwurz Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).jpg +
    Has search namepetasites hybridus + and butterbur +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy namePetasites hybridus +
    Has water requirementshigh +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Petasites hybridus +, Petasites hybridus +, Petasites hybridus +, Petasites hybridus +, Petasites hybridus + and Petasites hybridus +