Tolmiea menziesii

(Pursh.) Torr. & A. Gray

Youth on age, Piggyback-plant, Thousand mothers

Saxifragaceae Edible: Leaves 6,740 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Tolmiea menziesii () is a species of flowering plant in the family Saxifragaceae. It is known by the common names youth on age, pick-a-back-plant, piggyback plant, and thousand mothers. It is a perennial plant native to the West Coast of North America, occurring in northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and southern Alaska. It occurs as a naturalised plant or garden escapee in Scotland, parts of Wales, Northern Ireland and northern and western parts of England.

Description

It is a perennial plant. It has a well developed underground stem or rhizome. Young plants are produced on the leaves. It grows 30-50 cm high and 45-60 cm wide. The leaves are hairy and lobed and with teeth around the edge. The leaves are 10 cm across. The flowers are small slightly fragrant purplish brown. The flower stems are 30-60 cm long. Small plantlets develop from the buds.

Edible Uses

Young shoots in spring can be eaten raw, though they are rather bitter.

Traditional Uses

The sprouts are eaten raw in early spring.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

A poultice of fresh leaves has been used in the treatment of boils.

Distribution

It grows on the ground in conifer woodland. It needs protection from the sun. It needs cool moist soil rich in organic matter. It is frost hardy. It needs cool conditions and would only survive at higher altitudes in the tropics. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Where It Grows

Australia, Britain, Europe, Hawaii, North America*, Pacific, USA,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by division. They can also be by removal of plantlets, and from seed.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a cold frame, barely covering it. When seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse through their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Divide young plants in spring — larger divisions can go straight into their permanent positions, while smaller divisions are best potted up and grown on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until growing well, then planted out in summer or the following spring.

Other Uses

Makes a useful ground cover plant for a shady position; plants are best spaced about 60cm apart each way.

Notes

There is only one Tolmiea species.

References (6)

Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1423
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 300
Joyce, D., 1998, The Garden Plant Selector. Ryland, Peters and Small. p 274
Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 562
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

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