Saururus cernuus - Swamp Lily

Family:	Saururaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.5
Width:	0.3
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - Rhode Island to Florida, west to Texas and Minnesota.

Saururus cernuus (Swamp Lily) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.5m and a width of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
Swamp Lily will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Swamp Lily 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
Swamp Lily prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Swamp Lily can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Swamps and shallow water[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

This is a plant for a boggy area of the garden, it is able to withstand temporary flooding[56]. It prefers a loamy soil[1] growing well in pond margins though it spreads vigorously[56]. It can succeed in damp sites in the woodland as well as in the bog garden[200]. Prefers a position in full sun but tolerates some shade[188]. Plants are fairly cold tolerant, but are best given a protective mulch in the winter[56]. The flowers are fragrant[245].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
Sedative[61]. An infusion of the roots has been used as a wash in the treatment of rheumatism[257]. The root is roasted then mashed and made into a poultice to treat sore breasts[207, 222, 257]. A boiled extract of the roots is used as a poultice to heal flesh wounds[245]. The dried leaves can be made into a tea and drunk for the treatment of back and breast pains[207], it is also used in treating stomach ailments[222].

• Antirheumatic - Treats rheumatism.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in early autumn. Sow stored seed in late winter or early spring. Keep the pots moist by standing them in shallow water[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[1, 200]. The plants spread freely and division is possible at almost any time in the growing season. Divisions taken in mid to late summer should be overwintered in pots in a cold frame and then be planted out in late spring. Regular division maintains the vigour of the plant[200].

Scented parts of the plants

Flowers : Fresh

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

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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