Pimpinella major (L.) Huds.
Greater Burnet-saxifrage
Greater burnet-saxifrage is a native British perennial of the carrot family, despite its name being neither a true saxifrage nor closely related to salad burnet. It grows in hedge banks, woodland edges, shady road verges and rough, often base-rich or calcareous grassland, mostly in central and northern England and is rather local elsewhere.
About
Greater burnet-saxifrage is a native British perennial of the carrot family, despite its name being neither a true saxifrage nor closely related to salad burnet. It grows in hedge banks, woodland edges, shady road verges and rough, often base-rich or calcareous grassland, mostly in central and northern England and is rather local elsewhere. It forms an upright, hairless, strongly ridged stem with pinnate leaves of toothed leaflets, carrying airy compound umbels of tiny flowers, usually white but sometimes flushed pink, particularly in the north.
It prefers fertile, moisture-retentive soil and copes well with partial shade and taller, coarser vegetation. Flowering through the summer months, its umbels supply nectar and pollen to bees, hoverflies and other insects. A good choice for the lusher, partly shaded edges of wildflower meadows, hedgerow margins and woodland-edge plantings, it adds height and a delicate, lacy texture to naturalistic grassland on richer ground.
Also known as
Hollowstem burnet saxifrage · great burnet-saxifrage · hollow-stem burnet-saxifrage
Synonyms
Pimpinella major major · Pimpinella media · Pimpinella rubra · Pimpinella saxifraga · Pimpinella tenuifolia
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.