Asclepias tuberosa 

'Pleurisy Root'

Asclepiadaceae: a tuberous, hairy perennial to 80cm. Found in dry open sandy and gravelly soils and grassy places by the sides of roads. The flowers are umbel-like clusters of small, orange-red, and distinctively shaped, blooming from July-September. Flowers followed by paired fruits containing seeds embedded in silky fibres. The leaves are spirally arranged, lanceolate. Native to North America - South Ontario and New York to Minnesota, south to Florida and Colorado.

USES:

The flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked, and taste somewhat like peas. The young shoots and leaves can also be cooked and used as an asparagus substitute.

Pleurisy root is a bitter, nutty-flavoured tonic herb that increases perspiration, relieves spasms and acts as an expectorant. It was much used by the North American Indians and acquired a reputation as a heal-all amongst the earlier white settlers. Its main use in present day herbalism is for relieving the pain and inflammation of pleurisy. The root has antispasmodic, carminative, mildly cathartic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, tonic and vasodilato properties. The root was very popular as a medicinal herb for the treatment of a range of lung diseases, it was considered especially useful as an expectorant.

A good quality tough fibre is obtained from the bark, it is used in twine, coarse cloth, and paper.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Seed is best surface sown in a greenhouse in the autumn or in late winter. Also, good results from sowing the seed in the greenhouse in early spring, though stored seed might need 2-3 weeks’ cold stratification. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out when they are in active growth in late spring or early summer and give them some protection from slugs until they are growing away strongly.

Prefers a well-drained light rich or peaty soil and a sunny position. A very ornamental plant. Prone to damage by slugs, the young growth in spring being especially vulnerable. Plants resent root disturbance and are best planted into their final positions whilst small.

NOTES: Seeds germinated 2-3 weeks warm. 

HARVESTED: 2020

 
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