Mitella diphylla - Mitrewort

Family:	Saxifragaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.4
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - Quebec to Minnesota, North Carolina and Missouri.

Mitella diphylla (Mitrewort) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.4m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Mitrewort will flower in November to December. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Mitrewort 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
Mitrewort prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Mitrewort can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Rich woodlands, meadows and swamps[200, 235].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

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

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in moist woodlands and in pockets in rock gardens[200]. Requires a moist humus-rich soil[208]. Self-sows when grown in a rich soil[200] and usually spreads quickly by this means[208].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
An infusion of the leaves is used to treat fevers[200]. The infusion can also be used as eye drops for sore eyes[257].

• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Ophthalmic - Treats eye complaints.

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing it as soon as it is ripe or in early 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.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A good ground cover in moist woodland[200]. Plants form a carpet and should be spaced about 45cm apart each way[208].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

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

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