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Common Name: Golden Saxifrage

General Information

Chrysosplenium alternifolium is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.30 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south to C. France, east to C. Asia and the Himalayas.

Habitat

Acid soils[] by the sides of streams, wet rocks and wet ground in woods, usually in shade[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Beetles, Flies, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils if they are moist[]. Requires a constantly wet but well-drained soil[]. Prefers a shady position, succeeding in woodland[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw[, , , , , ]. Added to salads[]. The leaves are rather small, and there is a distinct bitterness in the flavour, especially during hot weather[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The plants creeping habit makes it a good ground cover for the bog garden[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame. Stand the pot in 2cm of water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a tray of water in the cold frame 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 spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.