Common Name: Golden Groundsel

General Information

Packera aurea is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock; it produces a cluster of 1 - 3 stems or more, growing around 30 - 60cm or more tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. This species is cultivated in parts of Russia for use in the pharmaceutical industry[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Central and eastern N. America - Manitoba to Newfoundland, south to Oklahoma, Mississippi and Florida

Habitat

Damp and swampy places in woodlands, meadows, along gravel banks and streambeds, acidic or sandy/gravelly soils; at elevations from sea level to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in a sunny position in most moderately fertile well-drained soils[]. Prefers a damp to wet soil and also succeeds in partial shade[].
Succeeds in the wild garden though it is invasive[].
A polymorphic species, there are many named varieties[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Golden groundsel is a medicinal plant that is deserving of greater attention[]. This species was widely used by native N. Americans to treat a range of complaints of the female reproductive system, and also to ease childbirth[].
Whilst often stated to be completely safe to use, recent research has found that the plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that, in isolation, can cause liver damage and so this remedy can no longer be recommended for internal use[, ].

The roots and leaves are abortifacient, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, pectoral, stimulant and uterine tonic[, , , , ]. It is used externally in the treatment of vaginal discharge[].
A tea made from the plant was frequently used by the N. American Indians as a remedy for various female troubles, including the pain of childbirth[, ]. Pharmacologists have not reported any uterine effects, but the plant does contain an essential oil (inuline) plus the alkaloids senecine and senecionine (which are poisonous to grazing animals)[].
The plant is harvested before flowering and the roots are harvested in the autumn, both are dried for later use[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring[].
Root cuttings in early spring[].