Balmony, White turtlehead
Chelone glabra

Family: Scrophulariaceae

What it is like

Chelone glabra is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

Margins of swamps, wet woods and rivers.

Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Georgia and Missouri.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 3

Balmony is a very bitter herb with a tea-like flavour that acts mainly as a tonic for the liver and digestive system. It has long been held in esteem in N. American folk medicine, though it has never been investigated scientifically. The herb also has anti-depressant and laxative effects. A decoction of the whole herb is antibilious, aperient, appetizer, cathartic, cholagogue, detergent, tonic, vermifuge. It is used internally in the treatment of consumption, debility, diseases of the liver, gallbladder problems, gallstones etc. It is also used to relieve nausea and vomiting, intestinal colic and to expel worms. Its tonic effect upon the digestive system has made it of benefit in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Externally, it is applied as a soothing ointment to piles, inflamed tumours, irritable ulcers, inflamed breasts etc. The plant is harvested when in flower and is dried for later use.

Antibilious: Corrects the secretions of bile.

Aperient: A mild laxative.

Appetizer: Improves the appetite

Cathartic: A strong laxative but less violent than a purgative.

Cholagogue: Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.

Detergent: A cleansing agent, used on wounds etc. It removes dead and diseased matter.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Easily grown in any ordinary soil, but it grows best in a light loam. Tolerates heavy clays and light shade. Prefers growing in light shade. Survives but does not thrive in dry conditions. Prefers growing in a bog garden or in a soil that is unlikely to dry out. Plants are very cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c. A polymorphic species, there are several named forms. The plant spreads freely at the roots and so is best grown in a large pot.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and keep moist. The seed germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the spring or early summer. Division in autumn. Cuttings of soft tips in summer in a sandy soil in a frame.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. obliqua alba.