Bergenia ciliata -

Family:	Saxifragaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.3
Width:	0.5
Synonyms:	B. ligulata. Megasea ciliata. Saxifraga ciliata. S. thysanodes.
Range:	E. Asia - Himalayas from Afghanistan to E. Tibet.

Bergenia ciliata () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.3m and a width of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 7and is quite resiliant to frost.
Bergenia ciliata will flower in September to November. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Bergenia ciliata will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary 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
Bergenia ciliata prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Bergenia ciliata can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

On moist rocks and under forest shade, 1900 - 2600m in Kashmir[145].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun or light shade in most soils[200] but prefers a deep fertile soil that does not dry out fully[134]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are at their best in a medium-heavy soil[208]. Succeeds in shade or semi-shade-[187]. The leaf colour is best when plants are grown in a poor soil in a sunny position[188]. Dislikes cold winds[197]. The plant is hardy to about -20°c, but the flowers and young leaves are rather sensitive to frost[187] so it is best to choose a position with shade from the early morning sun. This species is only hardy in sheltered gardens of south and west Britain[208]. If the leaves are cut back by frost then they are soon replaced by fresh leaves in the spring[188]. The roots of this plant are commonly collected from the wild for medicinal purposes. Overcollection in many areas of its range are a cause for conservation concern[272]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. The different species of this genus will hybridise freely when grown near each other[233].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
The flowers are boiled and then pickled[272].

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
A juice or powder of the whole plant is used to treat urinary troubles in Nepal[272]. The juice of the leaves is used as drops to relieve earaches[272]. The root is used as a tonic in the treatment of fevers, diarrhoea and pulmonary affections[218, 240, 243]. The root juice is used to treat coughs and colds, haemorrhoids, asthma and urinary problems[272]. Externally, the root is bruised and applied as a poultice to boils and ophthalmia, it is also considered helpful in relieving backache[243, 272]. The root of this plant has a high reputation in indigenous systems of medicine for dissolving stones in the kidneys[240].

• Lithontripic - Removes stones from the kidney, bladder etc.
• Ophthalmic - Treats eye complaints.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse. Make sure that the compost does not dry out. Two weeks cold stratification can speed up germination which usually takes 1 - 6 months at 15°c[134]. Fresh seed, sown as soon as it is ripe in late spring is liable to germinate better than stored seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in late spring after flowering[188] or in autumn[200]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

The root contains 14 - 16% tannin[272]. A good ground cover plant[188], forming a slowly spreading clump[208, 233].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.
• Tannin - An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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