Packera aurea - Golden Groundsel

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.8
Width:	0.5
Synonyms:	Senecio aureus. L.
Range:	Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Florida, west to Texas.

Packera aurea (Golden Groundsel) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.8m and a width of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Golden Groundsel will flower in November to January. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Golden Groundsel 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
Golden Groundsel prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Golden Groundsel can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Rich calcareous woods and bottoms and upland swamps[43]. Damp thickets and prairies[200].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

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

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in a sunny position in most moderately fertile well-drained soils[200]. Prefers a damp to wet soil and also succeeds in partial shade[238]. Succeeds in the wild garden though it is invasive[200]. This species is cultivated in parts of Russia for use in the pharmaceutical industry[238]. A polymorphic species, there are many named varieties[43].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
Golden groundsel is a medicinal plant that is deserving of greater attention[4]. This species was widely used by N. American Indians to treat various complaints of the female reproductive system, and also to ease childbirth[238]. Whilst often stated to be completely safe to use, recent research has found that the plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that, in isolation, can cause liver damage and so this remedy can no longer be recommended for internal use[238, 254]. The roots and leaves are abortifacient, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, pectoral, stimulant and uterine tonic[4, 46, 165, 207, 222]. It is used externally in the treatment of vaginal discharge[238]. A tea made from the plant was frequently used by the N. American Indians as a remedy for various female troubles, including the pain of childbirth[207, 213]. Pharmacologists have not reported any uterine effects, but the plant does contain an essential oil (inuline) plus the alkaloids senecine and senecionine (which are poisonous to grazing animals)[213]. The plant is harvested before flowering and the roots are harvested in the autumn, both are dried for later use[238].

• Abortifacient - Causes an abortion.
• Birthing aid - Used in facilitating birth, but not just to cause uterine contrctions.
• Diaphoretic - Induces perspiration.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Emmenagogue - Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
• Pectoral - Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.
• Stimulant - Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
• Uterine tonic - A tonic for the uterus. See also oxytoxic.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. 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 in spring[200]. Root cuttings in early spring[200].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

'' - There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

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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