Spigelia marilandica - Indian Pink

Family:	Loganiaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.5
Width:	0.25
Synonyms:
Range:	South-eastern N. America - New Jersey to Florida.

Spigelia marilandica (Indian Pink) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.5m and a width of 0.25m . It has a hardness rating of 8.
Indian Pink will flower in January. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Indian Pink 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
Indian Pink prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Indian Pink can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Rich dry soils on the edges of woods[4, 43].

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

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most fertile soils in semi-shade[200]. Tolerates full sun if the soil remains reliably moist in the growing season[200], in a shady position it tolerates considerably drier soils[4]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200]. A very ornamental plant[1].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
The whole plant, but especially the root, is anthelmintic and narcotic[4, 21, 46]. A safe and effective anthelmintic when used in the proper dosage, it is especially effective with tapeworms and roundworm[4]. Its use should always be followed by a saline aperient such as magnesium sulphate otherwise unpleasant side effects will follow[4]. Another report says that it can be used with other herbs such as Foeniculum vulgare or Cassia senna[254]. These will ensure that the root is expelled along with the worms since the root is potentially toxic if it is absorbed through the gut[254]. The root is best used when fresh but can be harvested in the autumn then dried and stored[213]. It should not be stored for longer than 2 years[213]. Use with caution and only under professional supervision[21, 254]. The plant contains the alkaloid spigiline,which is largely responsible for the medicinal action but side effects of an overdose can include increased heart action, vertigo, convulsions and possibly death[222, 274].

• Anthelmintic - Expels parasites from the gut.
• Narcotic - Relieves pain, induces drowsiness and gives a sense of well-being.

Propagation

Seed - requires stratification, pre-chill for 3 weeks prior to sowing. It will usually germinate in 1 - 3 months at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in the spring. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Known Hazards

This plant is poisonous in large quantities[21].

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

Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
Author: Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
Rating: http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Publisher : An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.
Date of Publication : 1999

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