Petasites hyperboreus - Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.15
Width:	1
Synonyms:	Petasites frigidus nivalis. (Greene.)Cronq.
Range:	North-western N. America.

Petasites hyperboreus (Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.15m and a width of 1m . It has a fast growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 5.
Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot will flower in October to November. the seeds ripen from November to December
The flowers from this plant are dioecious (each plant is either male or female, thus both genders need to be present to seed) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot 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
Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot can grow in full, semi shaded areas and areas with no shade.

Meadows, swampy places and moist woods[60].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location
• Suits a meadow
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will succeed in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. According to one report this species is no more than a synonym of P. frigidus[60]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1], but prefers a deep fertile humus-rich soil that is permanently moist but not stagnant, succeeding in shade, semi-shade or full sun[200]. Prefers partial shade[31]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[233]. A very invasive plant, too rampant for anything other than the wild garden[187, 200]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Young leaves - cooked. A felt-like texture[172]. Young stalks and flower heads - cooked[172]. The burnt leaves are used as a salt substitute[172, 177]. The stems and leaves, whilst still green, are rolled up into balls, dried and then placed on top of a very small fire on a rock and burned[207]. A very acceptable condiment for piñole[207].

• Flowers -
• Leaves -
• Salt - plants that provide a substitute for salt.
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
Antispasmodic, poultice, salve[172]. An infusion of the dried, stored leaves has been used in the treatment of colds, head and chest congestion[257].

• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Pectoral - Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• Salve - Soothes and heals damaged skin.

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe or in early spring. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division succeeds at almost any time of the year. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

The cotton-like seed heads have been used as a stuffing material in mattresses etc[257]. The leaves have been used to make temporary cone-shaped containers for picking fruit[257]. The leaves have occasionally been used to form makeshift funnels[257].

• Containers - Plants, such as gourds, that can be used as containers. Does not include baskets or containers made from wood.
• Stuffing - Used in making soft toys, mattresses, pillows etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Hitchcock. C. L.
Author: Hitchcock. C. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1955

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