Tephrosia virginiana - Catgut

Family:	Leguminosae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.6
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - New Hampshire to Florida, west to Texas and Manitoba.

Tephrosia virginiana (Catgut) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 4.
Catgut 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

Catgut will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important 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
Catgut prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Catgut should not be planted in shady areas.

Dry sandy woods and openings[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge

Cultivation Details

A deep rooted plant, requiring a dry to moist light or medium very well-drained soil in a sunny position[200]. Plants are hardy to about -25° when given a suitable position[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The root is anthelmintic, diaphoretic, diuretic, pectoral and tonic[207, 222, 257]. A tea made from the roots is said to make children muscular and strong[222, 257]. A cold tea is used to improve male potency and also to treat TB, bladder problems, coughs, irregular menstruation and other women's complaints[222, 257]. Experimentally, the root has shown both anticancer and cancer-causing activity[222]. The leaves have been placed in the shoes in order to treat fevers and rheumatism[257].

• Anthelmintic - Expels parasites from the gut.
• Cancer - Used in the treatment of cancer.
• Diaphoretic - Induces perspiration.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Pectoral - Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
• Women's complaints - A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in a greenhouse in spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter, planting out in the following spring or early summer.

Known Hazards

Contact with the plant can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[222]. The seeds are toxic[222].

Other Uses

The root is a source of the insecticide 'rotenone'[207, 213]. This is especially effective against flying insects but appears to be relatively harmless to animals[213]. A decoction of the roots has been used as a hair shampoo by women in order to prevent hair loss[257].

• Hair - Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.
• Insecticide - Kills insects.

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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