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Soldanella alpina

Common name:		Family:	Primulaceae
Author:	L.	Botanical references:	200
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	Europe - Pyrenees and the Alps.
Habitat:	Mountain pasturelands, close to the snow and glacier line[7].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	1

Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	alpina = alpine
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Primulales. Primrose family

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.3m. It is hardy to zone 5. It is in flower in May. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 1/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Cultivated Beds.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Laxative.

A decoction of the root is laxative[7]. It is harvested in the summer and dried for later use[7].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained humus-rich neutral to slightly acid soil[200]. Requires an open position with a cool aspect and shade from strong midday sun[200]. Plants may require some protection from winter wet[200].
In gardens, slugs will often destroy the flowering shoots at ground level early in the year[200].
The plant has become very rare in the wild due to over collection[7].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold greenhouse[200]. The seed has a limited viability[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring[200].

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 Primulaceae.

[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

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[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.

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?Soldanella+alpina
This page (US) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Soldanella+alpina

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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.