Back to main Search Page

Umbilicus rupestris - (Salisb.)Dandy.

Pennywort

Author	(Salisb.)Dandy.	Botanical references	17, 200
Family	Crassulaceae	Genus	Umbilicus
Synonyms	Cotyledon umbilicus-veneris - L. Umbilicus pendulinus - DC.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	Europe, from Britain and France south and east to N. Africa and the Mediterraean.
Habitat	Crevices of rocks and walls, especially in acid and damp conditions[17, 53]. Avoids alkaline soils[200].
Edibility Rating	3 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	1 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3m.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. 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; North Wall In; East Wall In; South Wall In; West Wall In;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves.

Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 105, K]. A very acceptable mild flavour in the winter and early spring, they can be used in quantity in salads at this time[K]. The leaves become rather stronger-tasting in the summer and are not so pleasant then[K].

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.

Analgesic; Diuretic; Poultice.

The leaves are mildly analgesic[7]. The juice and extract of the plant have an old reputation for the treatment of epilepsy[4]. The leaves are also made into a poultice and used in the treatment of piles, slight burns and scalds[4, 7]. A decoction of the leaves is considered to be cooling and diuretic and the juice taken inwardly is said to be excellent for treating inflammations of the liver and spleen[4].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any near neutral, gritty, moisture retentive but well-drained soil in sun or light shade[200]. Plants are often found growing on walls, even succeeding on old brick and mortar walls[K] Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200]. A very attractive plant for the rock garden[53], the leaves often stay green all winter[4].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring. Very easy, pant them straight out into their permanent positions. Leaf cuttings[200].

Links

This plant is also mentioned in the following PFAF articles: Plants for Problem Places - North Facing Walls and Deep Shade.

References

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

[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.

[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[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.

[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[53] De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden. 0
Interesting reading.

[105] Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976
The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.

[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.

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).