JACOB'S LADDER. AKA. POLEMONIUM
JACOB'S LADDER. AKA. POLEMONIUM
,GENESIS NAME: Polmonium caeruleum
DISTRIBUTION: WA, ID MT
SEASON: Spring
MEDICAL USE: Jacob's ladder is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. People take Jacob's ladder for fever and swelling (inflammation). They also take it to dry out tissues (as an astringent) and to promote sweating.
POISONOUS: NO
EDIBILITY: The flowers of “False Jacob's Ladder” can be used as a salad garnish. Both varieties were used in herbal folk medicines.
FEATURES: Polemonium caeruleum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 2 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
LEAVE:NA
FRUITS: NA
DISTRIBUTION: WA, ID MT
SEASON: Spring
MEDICAL USE: Jacob's ladder is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. People take Jacob's ladder for fever and swelling (inflammation). They also take it to dry out tissues (as an astringent) and to promote sweating.
POISONOUS: NO
EDIBILITY: The flowers of “False Jacob's Ladder” can be used as a salad garnish. Both varieties were used in herbal folk medicines.
FEATURES: Polemonium caeruleum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 2 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
LEAVE:NA
FRUITS: NA
DESCRIPTION:
Polemonium reptans is a sprawling rhizomatous perennial groundcover. Plants have a short vertical crown and many fibrous roots.
The attractive leaves are alternately arranged on green or purplish stems. They appear to be compound but are actually pinnately divided into inch long oval or oblong segments. Each segment has a pointed tip and smooth edge. The entire leaf averages 8-9” length.
The fertile stems terminate in loose open flower corymbs. The individual florets are bell shaped and about ½” across. Each floret has 5 rounded blue-violet or pinkish petals.
Blooming occurs in late spring for 2-3 weeks. Small oval tan colored seed capsules follow.
Plants grow 12-18” tall with an equal spread. Even though plants have short rhizomes, they spread mostly by reseeding.
A low, weak-stemmed, often sprawling, herbaceous perennial. Flowers in loose terminal clusters, bell-shaped, ¾ inch long, 5-lobed, with short tubes, light blue to blue lavender. Stamens 5, with white anthers; style tip divided into three parts. Blooms April-June. Leaves alternate, pinnately (“feather”) compound with smooth, ovate, opposite leaflets. The basal leaves are on long petioles.
Size:
Height: to 15 inches.
The attractive leaves are alternately arranged on green or purplish stems. They appear to be compound but are actually pinnately divided into inch long oval or oblong segments. Each segment has a pointed tip and smooth edge. The entire leaf averages 8-9” length.
The fertile stems terminate in loose open flower corymbs. The individual florets are bell shaped and about ½” across. Each floret has 5 rounded blue-violet or pinkish petals.
Blooming occurs in late spring for 2-3 weeks. Small oval tan colored seed capsules follow.
Plants grow 12-18” tall with an equal spread. Even though plants have short rhizomes, they spread mostly by reseeding.
A low, weak-stemmed, often sprawling, herbaceous perennial. Flowers in loose terminal clusters, bell-shaped, ¾ inch long, 5-lobed, with short tubes, light blue to blue lavender. Stamens 5, with white anthers; style tip divided into three parts. Blooms April-June. Leaves alternate, pinnately (“feather”) compound with smooth, ovate, opposite leaflets. The basal leaves are on long petioles.
Size:
Height: to 15 inches.
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