Yellow pimpernel
Taenidia integerrima

Family: Apiaceae

What it is like

Taenidia integerrima is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. 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 and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Dry upland prairies, edges of hill prairies, upland savannas, rocky upland forests, bluffs, areas along woodland paths, eroded clay banks in semi-shaded areas, and thickets. This plant typically occurs at the edge of dry wooded areas, especially where slopes occur.

Central and eastern North America

Conservation Status: Not Listed.

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

Native American ethnobotany. The Menominee take an infusion of root taken for pulmonary troubles, chew the steeped root for 'bronchial affections', and use it as a seasoner for other remedies because of the good smell. The Ojibwe smoke the seeds in a pipe before hunting for good luck.

Other

Rating: 2

Garden Uses: Woodland gardens. Native US plant gardens. Not commonly found in cultivation. Invertebrates shelter: beneficial for insects and other arthropods. Nectary: provides nectar or pollen for beneficial insects. The flowers attract small bees, wasps (including parasitic wasps), flies, and beetles. These insects seek nectar primarily, although some bees may collect pollen and some flies and beetles may feed on pollen. Some of the fly visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, Chloropid flies, March flies, and Blow flies, while bee visitors include Nomadine bees, Little Carpenter bees, Halictid bees, Carder bees, and Andrenid bees. The caterpillars of the butterflies Papilio polyxenes asterias (Black Swallowtail) and Papilio joanae (Ozark Swallowtail) feed on the foliage of this plant; the latter insect has not been observed in Illinois, although it has been found in Missouri and western Kentucky. Little information is available about this plant's relationships to birds and mammals as a possible food source.

How it is grown

An herbaceous perennial plant in the parsley family. The preference is partial to full sun and dry to medium conditions. Tolerates close to full shade. Poor soil is preferred, consisting of clay, rocky material, or some sand, as this reduces the competition from other plants. This plant adapts well to slopes, although it may not remain very erect. Drought resistance is very good. Bloom Time: May to July. Bloom Description: Yellow. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. The root pattern is a tap root similar to a carrot going directly down.

Propagating it: Seed. Easy.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-6

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Yellow Pimpernel

Synonyms

Smyrnium integerrimum L.