Trollius europaeus
Globeflower
a perennial member of the Trollius genus in the family Ranunculaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus
- Trollius
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Spread
- 0.45 m
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Beetles, Self
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Flies, Beetles, Self
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.
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.
The whole plant, but especially the root, is purgative and rubefacient when used fresh[10][12]. The plant loses some or all of its medicinal properties if it is dried[10][12]. It is used in Russia in the treatment of certain obscure maladies and has also been successfully used to treat a scorbutic case that was considered to be incurable[10]. It merits further investigation[10].
- Product or use
- Purgative
- Product or use
- Rubefacient
Environment
- Range
- Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Spain, the Caucasus, Arctic America.
- Habitat
- Wet pastures, scrub and woods in mountain districts, especially near streams and avoiding acid soils[12][3][4].
- Shade tolerance
- partial shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- 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 - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Keep the soil moist. Stored seeds can take 18 months or more to germinate[1] and the seedlings are very slow growing at first[8]. 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. Root division just after flowering or in spring. It is best done in September[1].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An easily grown plant, so long as the soil does not dry out[9]. It requires a deep rich soil with plenty of moisture[2]. Prefers a moist heavy soil[1]. Does well in a bog garden[8]. Likes shade[2] but it succeeds in sun or partial shade[5]. Hardy to at least -20°c[5]. A polymorphic species[8], there are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[6]. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[9] A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[11].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00
Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5