Cimicifuga foetida
L.
Foetid bugbane
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Дмитрий, some rights reserved (CC BY)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Дмитрий, some rights reserved (CC BY)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Дмитрий, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Summary
A perennial reaching 1.5 m tall by 0.6 m wide. Hardy to UK zone 3. Flowers July to August with seed ripening August to September. Hermaphroditic flowers suited to light, medium, or heavy soils. Tolerates semi-shade in light woodland and prefers moist soil. Adapts to mildly acidic through basic soil pH.
Description
A tall herb plant. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1.5-2 m tall. The stems arise from a divided rootstock. The leaves are dark green and deeply divided. They have deep veins. The flowers have a yellow appearance. The fruit are green pods. They are in arching sprays.
Edible Uses
Leaves can be eaten cooked. Some caution is advised given the plant's noted toxicity.
Traditional Uses
CAUTION:
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
Foetid bugbane is an anti-infective herb that lowers fevers and relieves pain. The root is analgesic, antibacterial, antiperiodic, antiviral, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, sedative, and tonic. It is used internally to treat rheumatic complaints, coughs, colds, headaches, gum diseases, and feverish infections such as measles. The root is harvested in autumn and used fresh or dried. Use with caution given the plant's noted toxicity.
Known Hazards
Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it does belong to a family that contains a number of toxic species and at least one species in this genus is said to be mildly poisonous. Some caution is therefore advised.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. In Central China it grows on the edges of forests and grassy slopes between 1,700-3,600 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Asia, Bhutan, Central Asia, China, Europe, Himalayas, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Russia, Siberia, Sikkim, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye,
Cultivation
Prefers a moist humus rich soil and some shade. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes. There is some confusion over the name of this species, C. foetida (Auct.) is given as a synonym for C. europaea Schipez (said to be native to E. Europe) whilst another authority cites C. europaea as a synonym of C. foetida. It is possible that entries under this species apply also (or instead) to C. europaea. A very attractive plant, but the flowers and the green seed pods have an unusual, slightly unpleasant smell that is reminiscent of decaying fish.
Propagation
Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, barely covered. Germination occurs in 1–12 months or longer at 15°C. Seed does not store well and quickly loses viability; stored seed may germinate better after 6–8 weeks of warm stratification at 15°C followed by 8 weeks of cold stratification. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough and grow on in a frame through their first winter, then plant out in late spring or early summer. Divide in spring or autumn — larger clumps can go directly into permanent positions, while smaller clumps are best potted up and grown on in a cold frame until rooting well, then planted out in summer or the following spring.
Other Uses
Both the growing plant and the dried plant are used as an insect repellent in Siberia.
Notes
There are about 18 Cimicifuga species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Jiunti
References (5)
- Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 124
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Reis, S. V. and Lipp, F. L., 1982, New Plant Sources for Drugs and Foods from the New York Botanical Garden herbarium. Harvard. p 60
- Slocum, P.D. & Robinson, P., 1999, Water Gardening. Water Lilies and Lotuses. Timber Press. p 113
- Syst. nat. ed. 12, 2:659. 1767
