Penthorum sedoides

Penthorum sedoides, known by the common name ditch stonecrop, is a perennial forb native to the eastern United States and Canada which produces small white flowers in summer.

Description

A herb. It is fleshy and has underground runners. It grows 1 m tall. The leaves are alternate and they have short leaf stalks. The flowers are small with many together at the ends of the branches.

Edible Uses

The leaves are eaten cooked and used as a potherb.

Traditional Uses

The fresh leaves are acid but used as a potherb or to spice up salads. The dried leaves are used to make tea.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

A plant tincture is mildly astringent, demulcent, laxative, and tonic. The plant is particularly noted for its effectiveness against catarrhal conditions of various kinds, and has also been used successfully for diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, and infantile cholera. The seeds have been used in the preparation of cough syrups.

Distribution

It grows in wet low ground such as flood plains and ditches.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Canada, China, Europe, France, Germany, Indochina, North America, SE Asia, USA, Vietnam.

Cultivation

Suitable for the waterside or shallow water. This species is included in the family Crassulaceae by some botanists and placed in its own family by others.

Propagation

Sow seed in a cold frame in pots standing in approximately 3cm of water as soon as ripe where possible, otherwise in early spring. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them into individual pots and grow them on in shallow water in the cold frame through their first winter. Plant into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The plant can also be divided in spring.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses

Notes

There is one genus in the Penthoraceae family and 2 species. It grows naturally in eastern North America.

Also Known As

Ngutruc

References (6)

• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 771
• Heywood, V.H., Brummitt, R.K., Culham, A., and Seberg, O. 2007, Flowering Plant Families of the World. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. p 249
• MacKinnon, A., et al, 2009, Edible & Medicinal Plants of Canada. Lone Pine. p 218
• Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 385
• Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/