Saururus chinensis

Family: Saururaceae

What it is like

Saururus chinensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). 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 wet soil and can grow in water.

Height (m): 1.2

Where it is found

Low damp places by water. Wet places, ditches, meadows, riverbanks, streamsides, forests, thickets, roadsides and field margins from near sea level to 1700 metres.

E. Asia - China, Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

Antiperiodic, parasiticide. The flowers are antimalarial, diuretic, eliminative, laxative and parasiticide. The root is antimalarial, depurative, eliminative and parasiticide. The whole plant is antiphlogistic, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge and refrigerant. A decoction is used in the treatment of oedema, nephritis-associated oedema, nutritional oedema, inflammatory conditions and calculus of the urinary system, rheumatoid arthritis, boils and abscesses, rashes and fungal infections of the skin. The leaves are used as a poultice to clean abscesses and boils.

Antiperiodic: Counteracts recurring illnesses such as malaria.

Antiphlogistic: Reduces inflammation.

Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Malaria: Treats malaria - an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites spread to people through the bites of mosquitos.

Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in

Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).

Other

Rating:

Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.

How it is grown

This is a plant for a boggy area of the garden, it is able to withstand temporary flooding. It prefers a loamy soil growing well in pond margins though it spreads vigorously. It can succeed in damp sites in the woodland as well as in the bog garden. Plants are fairly cold tolerant, but are best given a protective mulch in the winter.

Propagating it: 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. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. 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.

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

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Wet, water

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. loureier.