Common Name: Umbrella Plant

General Information

Darmera peltata is a perennial plant growing from a thick root around 10 - 50mm in diameter. It produces a basal cluster of leaves that can each be 10 - 60cm wide on petioles 20 - 150cm tall, and an erect flowering stem that is usually around 30 - 100cm tall but can grow up to 150cm[]. The plant spreads slowly at the roots and can form large clumps.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It can be used in soil stabilization projects and is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to form a ground cover.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

South-western N. America - southwest Oregon to northern and central California

Habitat

Among wet rocks, by the banks or in cold mountain streams; at elevations up to 1,800 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Darmera peltata is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant. 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 sun or shade[] in a wet soil or shallow water[].
There is at least one named form. 'Nana' is a dwarf form, growing only 30cm tall and so is more suited for the small garden[]. It also makes a good ground cover[].
The plant comes into flower before the leaves appear[]. Individual leaves are up to 30cm across[].

Edible Uses

Leafstalk - peeled and eaten raw, cooked like asparagus or added to soups and stews[, , , , ].

Medicinal

Traditionally, some native N. American pregnant women took an infusion of the roots in order to prevent the foetus from getting too large[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be grown as a ground cover in a sunny position[]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[].
The root system makes it useful as a soil stabilizer for marshy land or muddy banks[, ].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow as soon as it is ripe or in early spring in a cold frame[]. Keep the soil very moist. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on 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 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 a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.