Additional notes (click to expand)

Commemorative

Bergenia Moench. Saxifraginaceae. Elephant's ears. Named for Karl August von Bergen (1704-1759), physician and botanist, professor at Viadrina University, Frankfurt.
Oakeley, Dr. Henry F. (2013). Wellcome Library notes. link

Medicinal

The juice of the leaves is used as drops to relieve earaches. The root is used as a tonic in the treatment of fevers, diarrhoea and pulmonary affections. The root juice is used to treat coughs and colds, haemorrhoids, asthma and urinary problems.
Plants for a Future (2020) https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Bergenia+ciliata

Bergenia ciliata (Haw.)Sternb. Saxifraginaceae. Elephant's ears. Named for Karl August von Bergen (1704-1759), physician and botanist, professor at Viadrina University, Frankfurt. Has hairy leaves, hence ciliata. Distribution: E. Afghanistan, Himalayas, Assam. Used for fevers, diarrhoea, bruises and boils, coughs, renal stones, diabetes, heart disease, haemiorrhoids, stomach disorders (Harish et al www.ijabpt.com). Published 1820s so no early literature.
Oakeley, Dr. Henry F. (2013) Wellcome Library notes.

Geographical distribution

  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Afghanistan
  • Asia-Tropical, Indian Subcontinent, India
  • Asia-Tropical, Indian Subcontinent, Nepal
  • Asia-Tropical, Indian Subcontinent, Pakistan

Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb.

Family: SAXIFRAGACEAE
Genus: Bergenia
Species: ciliata (Haw.) Sternb.
Common names: Hairy Bergenia
Distribution summary: Afghanistan, Indian Subcontinent
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: H7 - Very hardy
Habitat: Moist rocks and forest understorey, 1900 - 2600 metres.
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Plants of the World (D)
Flowering months: March, April, May
Reason for growing: Commemorative, medicinal


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