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Parietaria officinalis - L.

Common Name Pellitory Of The Wall, Upright pellitory
Family Urticaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known
Range Western Europe to Western Asia and the Caucasus.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Parietaria officinalis Pellitory Of The Wall, Upright pellitory


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cleaned-Illustration_Parietaria_officinalis.jpg
Parietaria officinalis Pellitory Of The Wall, Upright pellitory
http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedista:Dezidor

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Parietaria officinalis 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

Habitats

 North Wall. In. East Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
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

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.
Cholagogue  Demulcent  Diuretic  Laxative  Refrigerant  Urinary  Vulnerary

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

Cleanser

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]. 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

Temperature Converter

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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

Native Plant Search

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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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Parietaria judaicaPellitory Of The Wall, Spreading pellitoryPerennial0.6 0-0  LMHSNDM231

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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Dec 5 2014 12:00AM

I cannot comment on the efficacy of Parietaria Officinalis, because I have not tried it myself. I only want to say that my father visited a local naturopath physician who is very knowledgeable. This doctor recommended this herb for my father's chronic kidney disease, which was caused by the antibiotic vancomycin. We look forward to seeing if it works. The doctor told us, "Parietaria does not have the great kind of reputation for kidneys that milk thistle has for the liver, but since there is not much to do for the kidneys, this herb is worth a try." This naturopathic doctor has been greatly helpful to some people, and the other remedy he gave my father, "Biocidin," worked in one day for his chronic bowel disturbance. So I trust him that Parietaria is a good thing to try.

   Jun 22 2017 12:00AM

SF Bay Area finds this plant invading gardens, hillsides, cracks in cement, walls. Difficult to contain in one place.

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