Polemonium reptans is a flowering plant in the genus Polemonium, native to eastern North America. Common names include Abscess Root, Creeping or Spreading Jacob's Ladder, False Jacob's Ladder, American Greek Valerian, Blue bells, Stairway to Heaven, and Sweatroot.

Growth

It is a perennial herbaceous plant growing to 50 cm tall, with pinnate leaves up to 20 cm long with 5–13 leaflets. The flowers are blue to violet, 1.3 cm long, with a five-lobed corolla.

Characteristics

The dried roots have a slightly bitter and acrid taste. The root is rarely used in modern herbalism. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.

Range and habitat

Polemonium reptans is typically found in rich, moist woods, often along streambanks.^[1][2] It range extends from Minnesota to New Hampshire in the north, and from Georgia to Mississippi in the south.^[2] It is most abundant west of the Appalachian Mountains.^[1][2]

Gallery

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  Flowers and a wasp

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  Flower buds

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  Cluster of leaves

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  'Stairway to Heaven' variegated Jacob's Ladder at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

References