Common Name: Swamp Lily

General Information

Saururus cernuus is a herbaceous perennial plant, spreading slowly by means of short rhizomes to form a clump; the thick stems grow around 15 - 120cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern and central N. America to central Mexico - Quebec and Ontario, south to Florida, and through Texas to Mexico (Coahuila, Guerrero, Michoacán)

Habitat

Wet soil, fresh or slightly brackish water to a depth of 50cm; at elevations from sea level to 500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are fairly cold tolerant, but are best given a protective mulch in the winter[].
This is a plant for a boggy area of the garden and for shallow water up to 15cm deep, it is able to withstand temporary flooding[, ]. It prefers a loamy soil[] growing well in pond margins though it spreads vigorously[]. It can succeed in damp sites in the woodland as well as in the bog garden[]. Prefers a position in full sun but tolerates partial to deep shade[].
The flowers are fragrant[]. The flowers, leaves and roots of this plant have a generally pleasant citrus aroma[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots are used as a sedative[].
Applied externally, an infusion of the roots has been used as a wash in the treatment of rheumatism[]. The root is roasted then mashed and made into a poultice to treat sore breasts[, , ]. A boiled extract of the roots is used as a poultice to heal flesh wounds[].

The dried leaves can be made into a tea and drunk for the treatment of back and breast pains[], it is also used in treating stomach ailments[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in early autumn. Sow stored seed in late winter or early spring. Keep the pots moist by standing them in shallow water[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring[, ]. The plants spread freely and division is possible at almost any time in the growing season. Divisions taken in mid to late summer should be overwintered in pots in a cold frame and then be planted out in late spring. Regular division maintains the vigour of the plant[].