Great Leopard's Bane
Doronicum pardalianches

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Doronicum pardalianches is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

Woods and plantations in Britain.

Europe. Naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

The root is cardiotonic and nervine. It is useful in the treatment of melancholia, nervous depression and scorpion bites.

Cardiotonic: A tonic for the heart.

Nervine: Stimulates and calms the nerves.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Thrives in sun or semi-shade in ordinary garden soil. Prefers a moist soil. Requires some protection from the strongest sun in summer. Succeeds in the shade of trees. Plants spread freely at the roots. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c. This plant used to be commonly cultivated as a medicinal plant. It has a somewhat invasive tuberous root system and will colonize thin woodland, it can also be grown in coarse grass that is cut annually in the autumn. Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits.

Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse from April to June and make sure the compost does not dry out. A diurnal temperature difference is beneficial to germination. The seed usually germinates in 10 - 20 days at 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in autumn. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

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

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth: Fast

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

One report suggests that this plant may be poisonous.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

D. cordatum.