Aphanes arvensis - Parsley Piert

Family:	Rosaceae
Habit:	Annual
Height:	0.05
Width:	0.2
Synonyms:
Range:	Most of Europe, including Britain, east to Iran in W. Asia.

Aphanes arvensis (Parsley Piert) is a Annual which grows to a height of 0.05m and a width of 0.2m . It has a hardness rating of 0and is vunerable to frost.
Parsley Piert will flower in October to April. the seeds ripen from January to May
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Self

Soil Information

Parsley Piert will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Parsley Piert prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Parsley Piert can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Arable and dry stony ground and old walls on acid and basic soils.[5, 17, 165]

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• Planted in the lawn
• In an East Wall

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade[238]. The plant tolerates stony or gravelly soils as well as both acid and alkaline conditions[238]. It grows well in a short lawn[53]. This is an aggregate species that contains a number of very closely related species[17].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Leaves - eaten raw in salads or pickled for winter use[4, 5, 52, 183]. The plant is rarely eaten nowadays[238].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
Parsley piert has a long history of folk use, being commonly employed to rid the body of stones in the kidney or bladder. It has become a highly respected herb in modern herbalism for the treatment of kidney stones[268]. The whole herb is astringent, demulcent, diuretic and refrigerant[4, 53, 165]. It is used mainly as an infusion in the treatment of kidney and bladder complaints (including cystitis and recurrent urinary infections), jaundice etc[4, 238]. A very valuable remedy, acting violently but safely by promoting the flow of urine[4], it is often used in combination with other herbs[238, 254]. The plant is harvested in early summer and can be used fresh or dried[238]. The herb is considered to be most efficacious when it is freshly collected and dried[238].

• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Demulcent - Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Refrigerant - Cools the body.

Propagation

Seed - sow autumn in situ. The seed is best sown in dry weather[238].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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