Siberian tea
Bergenia crassifolia

Family: Saxifragaceae

What it is like

An evergreen plant. It grows 50 cm high and spreads 70 cm wide. The rootstock is thick and woody. The stems are thick. The leaves are oval and deep green. There are teeth around the edge. The flowers are pink or red and have 5 petals. The flowers are in dense groups.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is best in a light to medium soil. It needs to be well-drained. It needs a cool sunny position. It is resistant to drought and frost. It grows between 1,100- 1,800 m above sea level in western China. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Europe, France, Korea, Latvia, Mongolia, North Korea, Russia, Siberia (country/location of origin), Slovenia

How it is used for food

The leaves are used for "Tschager" tea.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, leaves - flavouring

How it is grown

Plants are grown by division.

Its other names

Local names

Badan, Debelolistna bergenija, Pig squeak

Synonyms

Saxifraga crassifolia Linn.; Bergenia bifolia Moench.;