Pleurospermum austriacum aka Austrian Ribseed

Pleurospermum austriacum belongs to Apiaceae, the carrot family. It comes from Europe and grows in temperate climates. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Its wild habitats include meadows and damp, rocky places. These sites occur in both valleys and mountains. The supplied records give no more precise native range. They describe a herb rather than a woody plant.

Plants For A Future gives its height as 3.3 feet [1 metre]. The sources do not give a mature spread. Kew records its life span as biennial or perennial. Plants For A Future describes it as a perennial. It also notes that plants die after they flower. A plant may spend several years growing before this happens. This makes its life cycle worth considering when planning a bed. A perennial label does not mean the same plant flowers each year.

Flowers appear from July to August, according to Plants For A Future. Each flower contains both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers, and the species is self-fertile. The supplied evidence does not describe flower colour or shape. It also gives no details about fruit or seed appearance. Leaf shape, stem features and bark are not described. Its recorded garden use is in cultivated beds. The evidence does not identify more specific landscape roles.

For cultivation, use fertile soil that drains well but stays moist. Plants For A Future lists sand, loam and clay as suitable. It also accepts mildly acid, neutral and mildly alkaline soils. This gives gardeners some scope when choosing a planting site. The source states that the plant cannot grow in shade. An open, sunny bed therefore fits the stated light needs. No hardiness zone or frost limit appears in the evidence. Its temperate origin alone does not establish a winter temperature limit.

Young leaves have a recorded food use after cooking. Plants For A Future gives edibility a low score: one out of five. It reports no known hazards, but this is not proof of safety. The evidence provides no separate assessment for pets. It records no medicinal uses or other uses. It also lists no weed potential. No specific pests or diseases appear in the supplied material.