Erigenia bulbosa - Harbinger Of Spring

Family:	Umbelliferae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.2
Synonyms:
Range:	North-eastern N. America - S. Ontario to New York, west to Minnesota and Kansas.

Erigenia bulbosa (Harbinger Of Spring) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.2m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
Harbinger Of Spring will flower in August to October. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Harbinger Of Spring 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
Harbinger Of Spring prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Rich moist woodland[200].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge

Cultivation Details

Requires a shady position in a moisture-retentive humus-rich soil[200]. Grows well in the wild garden or in shaded pockets of the rock garden, though it might need protection from competition with other more vigorous plants[200]. Plants come into new growth and flower very early in the year[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Root - raw or cooked[207].

• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The plant has been chewed to bring relief from toothache[257]. No details are given as to which part of the plant is used.

• Odontalgic - Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division of tubers.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

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

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.