Have you ever heard of a plant used to fight the plague? Before you stands the Gewöhnlicher Pestwurz also known as common butterbur. Its name Pestwurz literally translates to pestilence root. This unusual plant was believed to ward off the plague in the Middle Ages. The strong smell of its essential oils was thought to repel the disease. While we now know it’s ineffective against the plague its history is fascinating.
The Gewöhnlicher Pestwurz is a truly remarkable plant. Its large leaves can reach a diameter of up to 60 centimeters. These impressive leaves create a striking green canopy when several plants grow together. The plant itself can reach heights between 15 and 100 centimeters. Its broad leaves resemble rhubarb.
But the Gewöhnlicher Pestwurz is more than just visually impressive. It flowers early in the year between March and May. Its flowers are a pretty pink-white hue. They grow in racemose flowerheads up to 40 centimeters long. These early blooms are a crucial food source for bees and other insects. Each flower head boasts up to 80 individual flowers. The male flowers are larger than the female ones. The flowers themselves are tubular with reddish bracts. They’re rather unassuming. Cylindrical fruits develop from the flowers in the summer.
The leaves of the Gewöhnlicher Pestwurz are truly beautiful. They develop in April. They are round and deeply green on top. Their undersides are grey and felted. The dense foliage prevents much light from reaching the ground below. The plant has a strong rootstock and produces numerous rhizomes. It thrives in sunny to semi-shaded locations. It prefers wet nutrient-rich soil. Because it spreads its growth gardeners plant only four to six plants per square meter. The Gewöhnlicher Pestwurz is also a natural bank protector. Its colors and leaves make it a decorative addition to any water garden.
In ancient times the plant was used as a medicinal herb. It was used to treat ulcers. During the Middle Ages people employed it as a remedy against the plague hence its unusual name. Many gardeners know it as Rote Pestwurz or Bach-Pestwurz. Today the Gewöhnlicher Pestwurz continues to fascinate and amaze. Its resilience and beauty make it a unique plant worthy of appreciation.