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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Parietaria is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained 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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. officinalis. Auct non L. P. ramiflora.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Young plant - raw or cooked[2, 105]. The young shoots can be added to mixed salads[7].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Pellitory of the wall has been valued for over 2,000 years for its diuretic action, as a soother of chronic coughs and as a balm for wounds and burns[254]. In European herbal medicine it is regarded as having a restorative action on the kidneys, supporting and strengthening their function[254]. The whole herb, gathered when in flower, is cholagogue, slightly demulcent, diuretic, laxative, refrigerant and vulnerary[4, 7, 61, 165, 238]. It is an efficacious remedy for kidney and bladder stones and other complaints of the urinary system such as cystitis and nephritis[4, 238, 254]. It should not be prescribed to people with hay fever or other allergic conditions[238]. The leaves can be usefully employed externally as a poultice on wounds etc[4]. They have a soothing effect on simple burns and scalds[7]. The plant is harvested when flowering and can be used fresh or dried[238].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The whole plant is used for cleaning windows and copper containers[7].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a well-drained to dry alkaline soil in full sun or semi-shade[238]. The plant grows well on drystone walls[17]. This plant is sometimes erroneously called P. officinalis. The true P. officinalis. L. is an European plant that is not found in Britain, P. judaica is its British representative[50]. The pollen of this plant is one of the earliest and most active of the hay fever allergens[7]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. Prick out the seedling when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown in situ in autumn or spring. Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Parietaria judaica	Pellitory Of The Wall, Spreading pellitory	Perennial	0.6	0-0		LMH	SN	DM	2	3	1
Parietaria officinalis	Pellitory Of The Wall, Upright pellitory	Perennial	0.6	0-0		LMH	SN	DM	2	3	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Parietaria - L.