Wild Madder
Rubia peregrina
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
Rubia peregrina is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 0.1
Where it is found
Hedges, thickets, scrub and stony ground in the south and south-west of Britain.
Western and southern Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
Abortifacient, aphrodisiac, diuretic, emmenagogue.
Abortifacient: Causes an abortion.
Aphrodisiac: Increases the sexual appetite.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
Other
Rating: 1
A red dye is obtained from the roots.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
How it is grown
Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade. Tolerates dry soils but quickly becomes scorched when growing in full sun. Plants grown in fertile well-limed soils produce more pigment in the root.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed can be very slow to germinate. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for the first year. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring or at any time in the growing season if the divisions are kept well watered until established. 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 Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedgerow;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist