Burnet-saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga, Sp. pl. 1:263. 1753)

Family: Apiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:263. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Pimpinella

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to C. Siberia and NW. Iran

Description

Burnet-saxifrage, scientifically known as Pimpinella saxifraga, is a herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family, commonly known as the carrot or parsley family. This plant species was first described in the comprehensive work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the illustrious botanist Carl Linnaeus, often abbreviated as L.

The Burnet-saxifrage is widely distributed across parts of Europe, extending its reach to central Siberia and northwestern Iran. It thrives in a range of habitats including meadows, grassy slopes, and edges of forests, often favoring well-drained soils and sunny to partially shaded locations.

Characteristically, Pimpinella saxifraga grows to a height of about 30 to 90 centimeters. The plant sports delicate, finely divided leaves that impart a feathery appearance, and its white, umbrella-shaped flower clusters typically bloom from June to September. These floriferous displays not only add aesthetic value to the landscapes where they flourish but also attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

The roots of Burnet-saxifrage are notable for their aromatic qualities and have been historically used in herbal medicine and flavoring. Renowned for its mildly spicy, somewhat nutty flavor, the roots were traditionally employed to treat respiratory ailments, digestive issues, and to promote overall health.

Despite its medicinal uses, modern applications of Pimpinella saxifraga are lesser-known and have somewhat diminished. Nonetheless, it remains a plant of interest within the botanical community and among herbalists for its historical significance and potential benefits.

In summary, Burnet-saxifrage is a versatile and resilient plant, well-adapted to a variety of environmental conditions across its native range. Its intricate foliage and charming floral displays, coupled with its traditional uses, make it a noteworthy species within the Apiaceae family.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig vinterkarse, almindelig pimpinelle, kløvplade, sarepta-sennep
Swe: bangyllen, sandvita, sareptasenap, svarthavskål, bockrot, backanis
Eng: burnet saxifrage, burnet-saxifrage, pimpinella, solidstem burnet saxifrage
Fin: harmio, sareptansinappi
Deu: kleine bibernelle
Nor: kvitdodre, sareptasennep
Nld: kleine bevernel
Fra: petit boucage, boucage saxifrage, petite pimprenelle
Cym: gwraiddiriog cyffredin, gwreiddiriog, gwreiddiriog cyffredin, tormaen burnet, tormaen bwrned
En: Burnet-saxifrage, Pimpinella, Solidstem burnet saxifrage, Burnet Saxifrage, Solidstem Burnet-saxifrage
Ca: Matafaluga de prat
Da: Almindelig Vinterkarse, Almindelig pimpinelle, Kløvplade, Sarepta-Sennep
Nl: Kleine bevernel
Fi: Harmio, Sareptansinappi
Fr: Petit boucage, Boucage saxifrage, Petite pimprenelle, Persil de Bouc
De: Kleine Bibernelle, Bachwurz, Bebenelle, Kleine Pimpernell
It: Tragoselino comune
No: Kvitdodre, Sareptasennep
Ru: Bedrenec kamnelomkovyj
Es: Pimpinela blanca, Pimpineta
Sv: Bockrot, Bangyllen, Sandvita, Sareptasenap, Svarthavskål, Backanis
Cy: Gwraiddiriog Cyffredin, Gwreiddiriog, Gwreiddiriog Cyffredin, Tormaen Burnet, Tormaen Bwrned

Synonyms

• Carum saxifraga ((L.) Baill.)
• Apium saxifragum ((L.) Calest.)
• Tragoselinum saxifragum ((L.) Moench)
• Pimpinella variifolia (Salisb.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Buryatiya (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Kamchatka (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 21, 2021 by Miroslav Gecovic (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2022 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2016 by enorad (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2016 by enorad (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 8, 2021 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2016 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2020 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by jaime p mon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by jaime p mon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2020 by milfulles (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2020 by milfulles (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2020 by Feoh Etmoi (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Louis CHEYPE (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 22, 2019 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Radoslav Marinkovic (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Diana Dam (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 1, 2021 by Evelyne Reutet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2020 by Poulain Mayo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Marie-Claude HUSKEN (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7622278)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:847025-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pimpinella saxifraga L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 2