Silene firma
Siebold.&Zucc.
Catchfly
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(c) Kieran Roy Powell, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kieran Roy Powell
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(c) Steve Chilton, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND)
Description
Silene firma is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft). It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Edible Uses
Young plant - cooked.
Medicinal Uses
Contraceptive Emmenagogue Galactogogue Hepatic. The leaves and stems contain several medically active constituents including saponins and flavonoids. They have been shown to promote the production of drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver. The plant is said to be contraceptive, emmenagogue and galactogogue. It is used in Korea in the treatment of gonorrhoea, to stimulate the milk and the menstrual flow, and also as a contraceptive.
Distribution
E. Asia - China and Japan.
Where It Grows
TEMPERATE ASIA: China, Korea, Japan (incl. Ryukyus)
Cultivation
W have very little information on this species, though judging by its wide range it should be hardy in most of Britain. It is likely to prefer a well-drained moisture retentive light loamy soil in a sunny position.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ. It is quite likely that an early autumn sowing will overwinter successfully to produce a larger plant in the spring and summer.
