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