Short Description
The greater burnet-saxifrage can grow up to one metre high.
The leaves are divided into three to nine leaflets (pinnate). The leaflets are ovate, short-stalked and with toothed margins.
The stem grows erect. It is sharply furrowed and glabrous.
The inflorescences (double umbels) are composed of up to 15 umbrella-like branches (single umbels) consisting of several white or rarely pink flowers.
The fruits are ovoid schizocarps.
Features
Greater burnet-saxifrage
Pimpinella major
sharp-edged furrowed stem
limp umbel before flowering
In the city
The greater burnet-saxifrage often grows in meadows and pastures. It prefers moist, nutrient-rich and deep soils. These are rather rare in the city.
Fun Facts
The flowering period is from June to September.
Greater burnet-saxifrage is a perennial plant. It lives for more than two years, but flowers only once and dies after the seeds have ripened.
The flowers are pollinated by insects.
The fruits are spread by the wind or animals.
In the 16th century, the greater burnet-saxifrage was considered an effective remedy against the plague.
- Endangerment level Germany: not endangered
It is native to Europe.
The pungent-tasting root contains essential oils and soothes sore throats as a tea.
Sources
Habitus, H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pimpinella_major_001.JPG
Blatt, Hectonichus, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Apiaceae_-_Pimpinella_major-2.JPG
Blütenstand, H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pimpinella_major_002.JPG
Kammer, P. M. (2016) Pflanzen einfach bestimmen. Schritt für Schritt einheimische Arten kennenlernen, Bern: Haupt Verlag.
Schauer, T., Caspari, C. & Caspari, S. (2015) Der illustrierte BLV-Pflanzenführer für unterwegs. 1150 Blumen, Gräser, Bäume und Sträucher, München: BLV.
Spohn, M., Golte-Bechtle, M. & Spohn, R. (2015) Was blüht denn da? Stuttgart: Franckh Kosmos Verlag.
Page „Große Bibernelle“. : Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Date of last revision: 06.01.2016, 21:51 UTC. URL: https://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gro%C3%9Fe_Bibernelle&oldid=149884726 (Accessed: 22.03.2018).
Bundesamt für Naturschutz (n.d.) Artensteckbriefe, URL: http://floraweb.de/pflanzenarten/artenhome.xsql?suchnr=4277& (Accessed: 22.03.2018).