Polymnia uvedalia Bearsfoot PFAF Plant Database

Translate this page:

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Polymnia uvedalia is a PERENNIAL growing to 2.7 m (8ft 10in). It is in flower in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Smallanthus uvedalia. (L.)MacKenzie. ex Small.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

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.
Anodyne Laxative Poultice Salve Stimulant

Bearsfoot root was used by the North American Indians as a stimulant and laxative remedy[254]. It is perhaps best known for its use as a hair tonic whilst the root is also taken internally as a treatment for non-malignant swollen glands and especially for mastitis[254]. The root is anodyne, laxative and stimulant[4, 61]. The root is said to have a beneficial effect on the liver, stomach and spleen and may be taken to relieve indigestion and counteract liver malfunction[254]. It is said to be of great use when applied externally to stimulate hair growth and is an ingredient of many hair lotions and ointments[4]. A poultice of the bruised root has been used as a dressing and salve on burns, inflammations and cuts[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Hair

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a warm position in a deep rich soil[1]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a warm greenhouse[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection such as a cloche until they are growing away well. Division in spring. Basal cuttings in the spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas,

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 :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Polymnia edulis	Yacon Strawberry	Perennial	1.0	7-10	F	LMH	N	M	4	0

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.

Support Plants For A Future

Plants For A Future relies on regular donations to keep our free database and search facilities going, to pay for ongoing research, improvements and enhancements, and to develop and publish new books. Read more

Choose Currency

Donate in £ GBP Donate in $ USD Donate in € EUR

Securely pay via PayPal or Credit/Debit Card without an account.

Expert comment

Author

Botanical References

143235

Links / References

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

Readers comment


Gazmend Skenderi	Mon Mar 13 2006

The chemical constituents of Polymnia uvedalia L. (Bear's Foot)are not known. Based on old reports it contains tannins, a resin and sugars. I, Gazmend Skenderi, in my recent reference book titled Herbal Vade Mecum, have suggested for the possible constituents with their pharmacolocical properties. So, I should not be listed under Reader's comments, but under the cited Authors / References. Thanks also for the link. Gazmend Skenderi HERBACY PRESS www.herbacy-press.com

HERBACY PRESS

Polymnia uvedalia - L.