Pimpinella major - Greater Burnet Saxifrage

Family:	Umbelliferae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.8
Width:	0.3
Synonyms:	P. magna.
Range:	Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Portugal, the Balkans and Caucasus.

Pimpinella major (Greater Burnet Saxifrage) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.8m and a width of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 5and is vunerable to frost.
Greater Burnet Saxifrage will flower in December to January. the seeds ripen from January to February
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees

Soil Information

Greater Burnet Saxifrage 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
Greater Burnet Saxifrage prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Greater Burnet Saxifrage can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Hedge banks, woodland edges and other grassy places[9].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Grows in a shady edge
• Will grow in a hedge row

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in any good soil[1], preferring rather moist conditions[187]. Grows best in a cool position[233]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
An essential oil from the roots is used as a flavouring in candy, liqueurs etc[183].

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The leaves are diaphoretic, diuretic, resolvent and stomachic[4]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and dried for later use[4]. The root is anti-inflammatory, mildly astringent and expectorant[9]. The fresh root is very hot and acrid, but this pungency is greatly reduced when the root is dried[4]. When chewed, the fresh root is effective in treating toothaches and paralysis of the tongue[4]. An effective diuretic, the root is used in treating disorders arising from obstructions of the viscera[4]. The root is also used for soothing coughs or the effects of laryngitis and bronchitis[9]. The roots can be harvested in the spring or autumn and are dried for later use[9]. The seeds are carminative[4].

• Antiinflammatory - Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Expectorant - Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Propagation

The seed requires a period of cold stratification. If you can obtain fresh seed then it is best sown immediately. This can be done in situ if you have sufficient seed, but if you only have a small quantity then it is safer to sow it in pots in a cold frame. Sow stored seed as soon as you can obtain it, this is probably best done in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the pot-grown seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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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