Polemonium reptans
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Photo copyleft 2007 Derek Ramsey |
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| Botanical name: | Polemonium reptans |
| Common name: | Jacob's ladder, abscess root, American Greek Valerian |
| Group: | dicot |
| Family: | Polemoniaceae |
| Growth type: | forb/herb; subshrub |
| Duration: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Plant height: | 1/2 - 2', erect or spreading |
| Foliage: | sticky-hairy or hairless; compound, leaflets 7 - 17 |
| Flower: | blue to violet flowers on loose open panicles, 1/4 - 1/2"; stamens not exerted from flowers |
| Flowering time: | late spring |
| Habitat: | rich moist woods |
| Range in New Jersey: | scattered locations, primarily western side of state |
| Heritage ranking, if any: | S1, LP, HL |
| Distribution: |  |
| Misc. | Historically the roots were used for bronchitis, laryngitis, and tuberculosis, as well as snake bites.
Faunal associations include a number of bees, as well as various butterflies, skppers, and moths. |