Common Name:

General Information

Bergenia purpurascens is an evergreen, perennial plant growing 13 - 50cm tall. It produces a cluster of basal leaves up to 16cm long from a thick, rhizomatous rootstock. The plant spreads slowly at the roots to form a colony[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is also harvested on a more commercial basis as a source of the medicinal compound bergenin. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used as a ground cover.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southwest China, Himalayas of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar

Habitat

On rocks and open slopes; at elevations from 3,600 - 4,700 metres in the Himalayas[]. Forests, scrub, alpine meadows and alpine rock crevices; at elevations from 2,700 - 4,800 metres in western China[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.45 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Bergenia purpurascens is hardy to about -20°c[]. However, the young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[].
Succeeds in full sun or light shade in most soils[, ] but prefers a deep fertile soil that does not dry out fully[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are at their best in a medium-heavy soil[]. Requires a position sheltered from cold drying winds and from the early morning sun. The leaf colour is best when plants are grown in a poor soil in a sunny position[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
The different species of this genus will hybridise freely when grown near each other[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root is astringent, styptic, tonic[, , ]. A safe and effective treatment for chronic bronchitis[]. It is also used in the treatment of giddiness and general physical feebleness[, ].

Extracts of the plant are antiseptic[].

The plant is a source of the drug bergenin[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A useful ground cover plant, though rather slow to spread[]. Plants form clumps[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse. Make sure that the compost does not dry out. Two weeks cold stratification can speed up germination which usually takes 1 - 6 months at 15°c[]. Fresh seed, sown as soon as it is ripe in late spring is liable to germinate better than stored seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in late spring after flowering[] or in autumn[]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.