Chrysosplenium alternifolium

Alternate-leaved golden saxifrage

Saxifragaceae Edible: Leaves 16,775 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Chrysosplenium alternifolium is a species of flowering plant in the saxifrage family known as the alternate-leaved golden-saxifrage. It is a mat-forming perennial of wet places that grows between 5 and 15 cm (2 and 6 in) tall. It blooms from March onward.

Description

Perennial ground cover reaching 0.3m tall and 0.5m wide, hardy to UK zone 4. Flowers from April to July. Hermaphroditic and self-fertile, pollinated by beetles and flies. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils across mildly acid to basic pH ranges, including very acidic soils. Tolerates semi-shade to full sun and thrives in moist to wet soil.

Edible Uses

The leaves are eaten raw and added to salads. They are rather small and carry a distinct bitterness, which is especially pronounced during hot weather.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are used in salads and soups.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in alkaline soil.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Britain, Europe, Ireland, Luxembourg, North America, Slovenia, USA,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or division of the clump.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring or autumn in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, standing the pot in 2cm of water. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow them on in a tray of water in the cold frame through at least their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring is very easy; larger clumps can go directly into permanent positions, though smaller clumps are better potted up and grown on in light shade in a cold frame until rooting well, then planted out in summer or the following spring.

Other Uses

The plant's creeping habit makes it a useful ground cover for the bog garden.

Notes

There are 57 Chrysosplenium species.

Also Known As

Premenjalnolistni vraničnik

References (6)

Crawford, M., 2012, How to grow Perennial Vegetables. Green Books. p 113
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 229
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 190
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 67
Irving, M., 2009, The Forager Handbook, A Guide to the Edible Plants of Britain. Ebury Press p 288

Show all 6 references