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Pulsatilla vulgaris
  • Pasque Flower

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

Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline,very alkaline
    Acid to Very alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    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
Pulsatilla vulgaris has 0 material uses listed
Pulsatilla vulgaris has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The plant is slightly toxic, the toxins are dissipated by heat or by drying the plant[1]. Repeated handling of the plant can cause skin irritation in some people[2].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Pulsatilla vulgaris.

Material uses

A green dye is obtained from the flowers[2]. Plants can be grown to form a ground cover, they are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[3].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Pasque flower is considered by herbalists to be of highly valuable modern curative use as a herbal simple[4]. 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[5].

The whole plant is alterative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, nervine and sedative[4][6][7]. 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[2]. Externally, it is used to treat eye conditions such as diseases of the retina, senile cataract and glaucoma[8]. This remedy should be used with caution[7], excessive doses cause diarrhoea and vomiting[2]. It should not be prescribed to patients with colds[2]. See also the notes above on toxicity[7]. The plant is harvested soon after flowering, it is more poisonous when fresh and so should be carefully preserved by drying[4][5]. It should not be stored for longer than 12 months before being used[4].

In homeopathy, the plant is considered to be specific in the treatment of measles[8]. It is also used for treating nettle rash, toothache, earache and bilious indigestion[8].

Unknown part

Alterative
Antispasmodic
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Emmenagogue
Expectorant
Homeopathy
Nervine
Ophthalmic
Sedative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[9]. 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[10].

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



Cultivation

Requires a well-drained humus rich gritty soil in a sunny position[10]. Lime tolerant[11]. Prefers lime[12]. Grows best in a well-drained chalky soil in a dry warm situation[5]. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant[13].

A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c[12]. A very ornamental plant[11], there are many named varieties[12]. The plant has become rare in its natural environment, due partly to over-collecting and partly to habitat loss[2]. Large plants transplant badly[10].

A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[14].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Pulsatilla vulgaris. 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 Pulsatilla vulgaris.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Pulsatilla vulgaris
Genus
Pulsatilla
Family
Ranunculaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[4][5][6][7][2][8]
Material uses & Functions
[2][3]
Botanic
[15][10]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Soil surface
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
0.2 x 0.3 meters
Fertility
self fertile
Pollinators
Bees
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite











References

  1. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.7 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. ISBN 0-85613-067-2 (1979-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
  9. ? Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. (1991-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.2 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
  13. ? Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent ISBN 0460045512 (1982-00-00)
  14. ? Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)
  15. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)


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Facts about "Pulsatilla vulgaris"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyRanunculaceae +
Belongs to genusPulsatilla +
Functions asGround cover +
Has common namePasque Flower +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has environmental toleranceDrought +
Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Bee +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone5 +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useDye +
Has mature height0.2 +
Has mature width0.3 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAlterative +, Antispasmodic +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Emmenagogue +, Expectorant +, Homeopathy +, Nervine +, Ophthalmic + and Sedative +
Has search namepulsatilla vulgaris + and x +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy namePulsatilla vulgaris +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +