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Chrysosplenium carnosum

Common name:		Family:	Saxifragaceae
Author:	Hook.f. & Thom.	Botanical references:	266
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	E. Asia - Sikkim.
Habitat:	Found at elevations of 4,200 - 4,500 metres, often near the line of perpetual snow. Alpine scrub meadows and alpine rock clefts at elevations of 4400 - 4700 metres in western China[266].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	2

Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	carnosum = fleshy;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Rosales. Saxifrage family

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.1m by 1m . . It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Beetles and flies. The plant is self-fertile. We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 2/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soil. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist or wet soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Bog Garden, Cultivated Beds.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Antiinflammatory; Cholagogue; Febrifuge.

The entire plant is used in Tibetan medicine, where it is considered to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency[241]. Anti-inflammatory, cholagogue and febrifuge, it is used in the treatment of headaches and inflammation of the gall bladder[241].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy outdoors in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most areas of the country. A low-growing plant, spreading by means of stolons produced in the leaf axils to produce a carpet of growth[266]. It is perhaps no more than an extreme form of C. alternifolium. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus[K].
Succeeds in most soils if they are moist. Requires a constantly wet but well-drained soil[200]. Prefers acid soils[200]. Prefers a shady position, succeeding in woodland.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame. Stand the pot in 2cm of water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a tray of water in the cold frame 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. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for the family Saxifragaceae.

[CHINA] Data Very detailed botanical/identification info. from the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[241] Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India 1994 ISBN 81-900489-0-2
A nice little pocket guide to the subject with photographs of 95 species and brief comments on their uses.

[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963

This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Chrysosplenium+carnosum
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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.