Water Betony, Water figwort
Scrophularia umbrosa

Family: Scrophulariaceae

What it is like

Scrophularia umbrosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, wasps. It is noted for attracting wildlife. 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 or wet soil.

Height (m): 1.5

Where it is found

Damp shady ground, usually near water. An occasional garden weed.

Europe, including Britain, south and east from S. Sweden to France, Palestine and Asia to Tibet.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Root - cooked. There must be some doubts about the edibility of this root.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 3

The leaves are detergent and vulnerary. They are harvested as the plant comes into flower and can be used fresh or dried for later use. The plant has a good reputation as a wound herb, either applied externally as a poultice or taken as a decoction. Water betony is said to have similar medicinal properties to the knotted figwort, S. nodosa. These properties are as follows: Knotted figwort is a plant that supports detoxification of the body and it may be used as a treatment for various kinds of skin disorders. The whole plant is alterative, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, mildly purgative and stimulant. It is harvested as the plant comes into flower in the summer and can be dried for later use. A decoction is applied externally to sprains, swellings, burns, inflammations etc, and is said to be useful in treating chronic skin diseases, scrofulous sores and gangrene. The leaves can also be applied fresh or be made into an ointment. Internally, the plant is used in the treatment of chronic skin diseases (such as eczema, psoriasis and pruritis), mastitis, swollen lymph nodes and poor circulation. It should not be prescribed for patients with heart conditions. The root is anthelmintic.

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

Eczema: Used in the treatment of eczema - a chronic health condition that affects the skin, causing redness, dryness, itching and infections.

Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.

Other

Rating:

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

How it is grown

Succeeds in most moist soils. A good bee plant.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown outdoors in situ in the autumn or the spring. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

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

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth: Fast

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

The plant is probably poisonous to cows.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. alata. S. aquatica. L. (name ambiguous). S. neesii.