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Pimpinella major (L) Hudson    Greater Burnet Saxifrage


NOMENCLATURE

Pimpinella : possibly from bipinella : two winged.
major : greater.
Saxifrage: growing among rocks, stone breaker or had reputation
  of dissolving stones in the bladder. Saxum : rock & frango :   to break.

PREVIOUS NAMES :
P. magna (L).


BSBI Picture Link to Pimpinella major

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

TYPE : erect, stout, glaborous perennial. Hs.
ROOTS : stout without remains of petioles. Acrid.
STEMS : prominently ridged or angled, glaborous,
  brittle, magenta towards base, hollow, 50-120cm.
UMBELS : compound, terminal, 3-6cm, flat topped.  Rays 10-20, smooth. 1-4cm.
Peduncle > than rays. Terminal hermaphrodite. Lateral all male.
LEAVES : all simply pinnate (rarely bipinnate) long petiolate,   strigulose at veins sparsely hirsute
between. Segments of lower leaves 3-4 pairs, 2-10cm, shortly stalked, ovate, truncate or
  subcordate at base, coarsely serrate or lobed, teeth with   cartilaginous points. Stem leaves
narrower, sessile, all coarsely serrate, 3 lobed. Uppermost leaves small, often 
  ternate, rarely 0. Petioles sheath like, green.
BRACTS : 0
FLOWERS : white, pink, styles as > as petals, erect in flr. Calyx   teeth small or 0. Petals
with long inflexed point. Styles form  a stylopodium.Fl.6-8.
FRUIT : 3-4mm. Ovoid, laterally compressed. Commisure broad.   Carpels with 5 slender
ridges paler than vittae. Vittae numerous in each furrow, reddish-brown. Carpophore
present.  Pedicels 5mm, glabrous. Styles erect in flower, > later, break
  off as fruit ripens. Stigma capitate. Strongly protandrous.   2n=20.
HABITAT : grassy places, woods margin, hedgebanks. Dry calcerous soil.

DISTRIBUTION : native. E. England from Kent to N’thumb. Rare in
  E. Anglia and S.W.Ireland, local and rarer in N., except the  extreme N.& S.
BSBI Distribution Map for Pimpinella major

MEDICINAL USES

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS :
essential oil, saponin, tannin, pimpinellin,
  bitter principle, coumarin derivatives, resin.
EFFECT : expectorant, anti-inflammatory, mildly diuretic,   mildly astringent.
PARTS : rootstock, fresh or dried, clean shred, dry in   warm place.
APPLICATION: soothing coughs, bronchitis, laryngitis, 2 tspn per cup, stand 15 min drink hot,
2-3 x day. Mouthwash or gargle for tonsilitis, ulcers, infected gums.


HISTORICAL MEDICINAL USES


Culpepper l7thC : “Has the properties of the parsley, but eases pain and provokes urine more effectually.
The distilled water, boiled with castroeum is good for cramps, convulsions. Seeds as comfits, juice
dropped in bad wounds dries up moisture and heals them."

Same uses as P. saxifraga. Also disorders & obstructions of vicera, carminative, colic, flatulence :
infusion of powdered seeds. Root powerful diuretic.


EXTERNAL LINKS FOR Pimpinella major

These links to trusted websites and institutions may provide in depth or additional information regards cultivation, chemistry, edibility, images etc. for the species. Links last updated Aug 2012.

Wikipedia (UK)    Plants For A Future (UK)    APHOTOFLORA (UK)

'Online Guide To Umbelliferae Of The British Isles' Compiled By J.M.Burton 2002