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Ipomopsis aggregata

Ipomopsis aggregata: Flower
Photo by Derrick Ditchburn. High resolution version

Common name:	Skyrocket	Family:	Polemoniaceae
Author:	(Pursh.)V.E.Grant.	Botanical references:	200, 204
Synonyms:	Gilia aggregata ((Pursh.)Spreng.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	Western N. America - Oregon to California to Texas, north to N. Dakota.
Habitat:	Dry rocky slopes in sagebrush, scrub and clearings in pine forests to 3000 metres in California[187].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	1	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	2

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	Callisteris arizonica[B,P] Cantua aggregata[B,G,P] Gilia aggregata ssp. euaggregata[B,P] Gilia aggregata var. arizonica[B,P] Gilia arizonica[B,P] I. aggregata ssp. aggregata[B,P] I. aggregata ssp. arizonica[B,P] I. arizonica[B,C,CAL,P]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Arizona Skyrocket [B,P], Scarlet Skyrocket [B], Skyrocket Gilia [P],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	aggregata = clustered, joined together;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Solanales. Phlox family

Physical Characteristics

Biennial/Perennial growing to 1m by 0.3m at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone 7. It is in flower from June to July. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 1/5 for edibility and 2/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Cultivated Beds.

Edible Uses

Nectar; Tea.

The plant has been boiled up as a tea[257].
The nectar is sucked from the flowers by children[257].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Cathartic; Disinfectant; Emetic; Skin; Tonic.

The whole plant is cathartic and emetic[61, 257].
The leaves are steeped in hot water until the water turns a bright green, this liquid is taken in small doses as a tonic for the blood[207, 257].
An infusion of the whole plant has been used to treat blood diseases[257]. A decoction has been used as a disinfectant wash on itchy skin[257].
A poultice of the whole plant has been applied to rheumatic joints[257].
An infusion of the roots is used as a laxative and in the treatment of high fevers, colds[257].

Other Uses

Adhesive; Soap.

The plant is reported to contain saponins[212] and so could possibly be used as a soap substitute[K]. A decoction of the plant has been used as a face and hair wash by adolescent girls[257].
The whole plant has been boiled up to make a glue[257].

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained dry soil in sun or partial shade[187]. Requires a light very well drained fertile soil in full sun[200].
Plants are cold-hardy to about -15°c[187], but they are susceptible to rot in areas with wet winters[260]. It is best to cover the plants with a pane of glass in wet winter areas[260].
A slow-growing[188] and short-lived perennial or biennial species[187].
A polymorphic species[60].
The leaves have a musky scent[187]. The crushed leaves smell like a skunk[212].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ[200].

Scent

Leaves: Crushed: The leaves have a musky scent. The crushed leaves smell like a skunk.

Suppliers

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

Web References

[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[C] Taxon data. from the CalFlora database.
Images from the CalPhoto database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for Ipomopsis aggregata ssp. aggregata (a possible synonym).

[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.

References for Ipomopsis arizonica (a possible synonym).

[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[C] Taxon data. from the CalFlora database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.

References for the family Polemoniaceae.

[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.

[60] Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955
A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[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.

[204] Livingstone. B. Flora of Canada National Museums of Canada 1978 ISBN 0-660-00025-3
In 4 volumes, it does not deal with plant uses but gives descriptions and habitats.

[207] Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6
A nice read, lots of information on plant uses.

[212] Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963 ISBN 63-7093
Excellent little pocket guide to the area, covering 590 species and often giving details of their uses.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

[257] Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

[260] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998 ISBN 0-330-37376-5
Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.

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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
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