Common Name: Indian Pink
Botanical Name: Spigelia marilandica
Zone: 5 – 9
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 1 – 2 ft.
Width: 6 – 18 in.
Habit: Clump forming
Flower: Tube-shaped, bright scarlet red outside, opening into a bright yellow 5 pointed star
Bloom Season: May to July
Foliage: Four-sided smooth, purple colored stems with a single sided barb
Flavor: Bitter, pungent
Fragrance: Insignificant
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Soil: Rich well-drained soil
Water: Medium
Tolerates: Drought, dry soil
Garden Uses: Herb garden, shaded border fronts, shade gardens, woodland gardens, wildflower gardens or native plant gardens
Medicinal Uses: An alternative medicine with medicinal constituents Spigeline, Lignin, tannin, albumen, and myricin. Research shows promise as antiHIV, anticancer & anticoronary. Other uses include antibacterial, antidiarrheal, antioxidant, antiviral, anthelmintic, and laxative. Most popular as an anthelmintic and is most potent for tapeworm and for the round worm. Caution: Said to be narcotic in large doses
Harvesting: Collect rootstock, after the flowers fade. The root is best used when fresh but can be harvested in the autumn then dried for herb use.
Photo: From the garden of WGHS member, Beth Mattingly
Origin: Southeastern N. American, MO Native
AKA: Maryland Pink, Pinkroot, Wormgrass, American Wormgrass, American Wormroot, Starbloom
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Information provided on the traditional uses and properties of herbs are for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. You should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs.
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