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Leontopodium alpinum - Cass.

Edelweiss

Author	Cass.	Botanical references	200
Family	Compositae	Genus	Leontopodium
Synonyms
Known Hazards	None known
Range	SE and SC Europe.
Habitat	Alpine meadows and screes.
Edibility Rating	0 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	1 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.2m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

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.

The whole plant is astringent and antitussive[7].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Requires a position in full sun in any gritty perfectly drained not too fertile circumneutral or slightly alkaline soil[200]. Given a well-drained soil and protection from winter wet, this is one of the easier alpine plants to grow[200]. The plant has been avidly collected from the wild in the past for its ornamental use as a dried flower - this has caused it to become rare in the wild and it is now a protected species[7].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the cold greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division.

Links

References

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[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.

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.

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