Back to main Search Page

Ipomopsis aggregata - (Pursh.)V.E.Grant.

Skyrocket

Author	(Pursh.)V.E.Grant.	Botanical references	200, 204
Family	Polemoniaceae	Genus	Ipomopsis
Synonyms	Gilia aggregata - (Pursh.)Spreng.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	Western N. America - Oregon to California to Texas, north to N. Dakota.
Habitat	Dry rocky slopes in sagebrush, scrub and clearings in pine forests to 3000 metres in California[187].
Edibility Rating	1 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	2 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Biennial/Perennial growing to 1m by 0.3m at a slow rate.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Nectar.

Edible Uses: Tea.

The plant has been boiled up as a tea[257]. The nectar is sucked from the flowers by children[257].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Cathartic; Disinfectant; Emetic; Skin; Tonic.

The whole plant is cathartic and emetic[61, 257]. The leaves are steeped in hot water until the water turns a bright green, this liquid is taken in small doses as a tonic for the blood[207, 257]. An infusion of the whole plant has been used to treat blood diseases[257]. A decoction has been used as a disinfectant wash on itchy skin[257]. A poultice of the whole plant has been applied to rheumatic joints[257]. An infusion of the roots is used as a laxative and in the treatment of high fevers, colds[257].

Other Uses

Adhesive; Soap.

The plant is reported to contain saponins[212] and so could possibly be used as a soap substitute[K]. A decoction of the plant has been used as a face and hair wash by adolescent girls[257]. The whole plant has been boiled up to make a glue[257].

Scented Plants

Leaves: Crushed

The leaves have a musky scent. The crushed leaves smell like a skunk.

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained dry soil in sun or partial shade[187]. Requires a light very well drained fertile soil in full sun[200]. Plants are cold-hardy to about -15°c[187], but they are susceptible to rot in areas with wet winters[260]. It is best to cover the plants with a pane of glass in wet winter areas[260]. A slow-growing[188] and short-lived perennial or biennial species[187]. A polymorphic species[60]. The leaves have a musky scent[187]. The crushed leaves smell like a skunk[212].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ[200].

Links

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[60] Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955
A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[204] Livingstone. B. Flora of Canada National Museums of Canada 1978 ISBN 0-660-00025-3
In 4 volumes, it does not deal with plant uses but gives descriptions and habitats.

[207] Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6
A nice read, lots of information on plant uses.

[212] Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963 ISBN 63-7093
Excellent little pocket guide to the area, covering 590 species and often giving details of their uses.

[257] Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

[260] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998 ISBN 0-330-37376-5
Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Add a comment/link:

Discussion Monitor

To have posts to this page mailed to you enter your email address here:

(Your email address will not appear on the webpage or be passed on to third parties).