Parietaria judaica

'Pellitory-of-the-wall'

[Ex. Durham, 90m., England]

Urticaceae: a spreading, downy perennial with reddish stems to 7cm. colonises walls, roadsides and rocky ground. The clustered flowers are tiny white or pink flowers are attached to the stems, blooming from June-October. The oval leaves are about 5cm long and long-stalked. Widespread in England, Wales and Ireland, being commonest in coastal areas and in the west. Native to Western and southern Europe, including Britain.

USES:

The young plant can be eaten raw or cooked, the young shoots can be added to mixed salads.

Pellitory of the wall has been valued for over 2,000 years for its diuretic action, as a soother of chronic coughs and as a balm for wounds and burns. In European herbal medicine it is regarded as having a restorative action on the kidneys, supporting and strengthening their function. The whole herb, gathered when in flower, has cholagogue, slightly demulcent, diuretic, laxative, refrigerant and vulnerary properties.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Surface sow seeds in spring or autumn in a cold frame. Prick out the seedling when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed, then it can be sown in situ in autumn or spring. Plants prefer a well-drained to dry alkaline soil in full sun or semi-shade, the plant grows well on drystone walls. Pellitory-of-the-wall is dioecious, therefore male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

HARVESTED: 2022*

 
APPROX. 100+ SEEDS