Plant tsimicifuga, or klopogon racemose: description, photo, cultivation, application

The plant is a clusters bug (Tsimitsifuga branchy) known to mankind since ancient times. As it is easy to guess from the name, in this country its insecticidal properties are applied, in England the species is included in the British herbal pharmacopoeia as a valuable medicinal raw material, and in horticulture actively use its decorative and effective appearance. Moreover, the clopogon in 1993 became the winner of the British Award of the Garden of Merit, which is awarded to garden plants as a result of testing in gardens or special collections.

Claw-bird: botanical description

This species belongs to the genus Voronets from the family of the Lyutikovs. It is a herbaceous perennial plant with a straight smooth stalk, having a rectangular cross-section, and leaves of complex shape that appear directly from the fleshy rhizome. Klopogon has an impressive size and reaches in the flowering period in height from 1.5 to 2.5 m.

The plant has two types of leaves: basal and petiolate. The first are wide and long, the second - twice or thrice tricotate. The leaves have a deep dark green color with a glossy sheen, the order of their location is the next. In the midst of growth, the plant is characterized by a very spectacular view. A powerful bush is formed up to 70 sheets of oval shape with a plate length of up to 12 cm.

Blossom tsimitsifuga clusters from June to September. Brushes up to 1 m long develop on the top of the stem. The flowers are white, with an unpleasant sweet-bitter aroma that attracts mainly flies as pollinators, pubescent. Fruit - leaflet (0.5-1 cm in length) with seeds in an amount of 8 to 10 pieces. It remains on the plant in the winter and produces a characteristic sound when the wind blows. For this feature tsimitsifuga received in England one of its names - rattlesnake weed (rattle weed).

Range of growth

The natural area of growth is the moist deciduous forest in the eastern part of North America. So, the clawfish bush is found from Massachusetts and Ontario to Missouri, from Wisconsin to Arkansas to the west, from Georgia to Alabama to the south. He prefers wet deciduous forests and fringes, banks of streams and rivers, ravines, thickets of bushes and tall grass. It develops well on soils rich in humus. The plant is widely distributed in the specified territory and is common for these places.

Use in decorative floriculture

Plant tsimitsifuga branchy - spectacular perennial, introduced into the culture back in 1732. It is surprisingly beautiful and original due to the carved leaves, gathered in a magnificent mop. The impression of the plant doubles during the flowering period, when powerful flower stalks appear from the very center. Derived varieties with different shades of petals. For example, Pink Spike (photo below). Klopogon is a long-liver and can grow in one place for 15-20 years without transplantation. A great choice for a natural garden decoration.

The ragged clopogon, whose photo is presented in the article, will be equally good both in solitary plantings, and in the group among the lawn, in mixborders. This plant is the upper tier, so it is worth it to plant from behind, in the shady corners, but still in sight. Despite the bitterish smell, the clown is often used in cutting to create autumn bouquets. He gives them elegance and lightness, creates a lacy background with rich, carved green foliage. Good neighbors for the plant will be Aconite, Astilbe, Ferns hosts (especially scutes and osmunds), badans, and also short sticks.

Site selection and soil

As already mentioned above, the plant of cymicifug in a natural growing environment prefers well-moistened places with scattered light. This factor should be taken into account when choosing a site for its planting. Remember that the clopegon does not tolerate the transplant very well and is restored for a long time, so it's better to initially choose a permanent residence for him. It is then that he year after year will surprise you with his strength of growth and amazing beauty. Give preference to the solar areas, which after dinner is half-shade, well protected from wind and drafts.

The soil for clover should be deep processing, fertile and moderately moist. Avoid swampy areas with stagnant moisture. When planting the plant, add humus and drainage to the bottom of the pit in the form of expanded clay or brick crumb.

Care of the plant

One of the main advantages of the species is that it is an unpretentious plant. Tsimitsifuga is resistant to unfavorable conditions, pests and diseases. Care of the plant is mainly in mulching the land around the bush - this is necessary to preserve moisture in the soil, and abundant watering in dry, hot weather. Under the canopy of powerful leaves of the bug weeds practically do not develop. In the photo above is the Brunette variety.

The large peduncles are quite strong, but the tallest ones are better tied up to withstand strong winds and showers. After the end of the flowering period, they can be left until the winter. Decorative from this practically does not suffer, the peduncles become first white and green, then pods appear, eventually they acquire a brown color and resemble a rattle in the wind. In late autumn, during harvesting in the garden, it is necessary to trim the plant. Tsimitsifuga not bad winter in our climate, so shelter, as a rule, is not required. The leaves are cut at the very surface of the earth.

Reproduction of a plant

Tsimitsifugu branched can be propagated in two ways: seed and vegetative. In the first case, some growers recommend sowing seeds immediately after harvesting, that is, for the winter.

However, the most popular is a different opinion. Freshly sown tsimitsifugi seeds rot most often, while 100% germination is observed with a certain treatment. They should be stored in a dry place for six months, with the first three months - at a temperature of +22 ° C, and the second half of the term - at +4 ° C. Cultivated from seeds, plants begin to bloom 2-3 years later.

Many herbaceous plants, including clopogon, perfectly reproduce in a vegetative manner.

This can be done by dividing the mother's bush by the age of 5 years and older, or by cuttings by the kidney, by the radical shoot with the "heel". The optimal timing is early spring.

Klopogon (Tsimicifuga branched): traditional medicine

It is assumed that the healing properties of the plant were known to some Indian tribes of North America long before Europeans appeared on the continent. For the preparation of broths and tinctures, the roots of tsimitsifugi were used. And their use was not limited to this or that disease. According to written testimonies of the 19th century, Indians used alcohol tinctures or herbal teas as a sedative, diuretic, with female diseases, and lotions and compresses made snakes, joints and backs at the places of bites. Along with some other plants tsimitsifugu included in the composition of tonic drinks.

Attention official medicine klopogon (photo above) attracted in the 18-19th century. In the period from 1820 to 1926 the plant was included in the list of the American pharmacopoeia. The list of indications for use included lung diseases, neurotic disorders, rheumatism, swelling of the legs, gynecological diseases, including infertility. The plant has a special popularity in herbal medicine.

Opinion of official medicine

Currently, the clopagon is used mainly in the production of biologically active food additives, which are recommended for admission to women. German scientists in 2013 conducted a comprehensive analysis of clinical trials of various dietary supplements. The results are available for study in journals and medical databases. All drugs showed high tolerability with minimal side effects.

British scientists, however, warn that tsimicifuga branched can be dangerous with prolonged use. The use of plant extracts can cause thickening of the uterine mucosa, and this is a risk factor for cancer. Repeatedly stated about the toxic effect of bug on the liver, but clinically it was not confirmed.