🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
Dog's Mercury is generally considered toxic and not used for food or medicine. It can be used as a ground cover in shady areas, though its toxicity needs to be considered when planting near edible plants or in areas accessible to children or pets. It is an indicator species, suggesting specific soil conditions.
Permapeople description
A woodland plant with creeping rhizomes and unbranched stems.
Botanical description
Mercurialis perennis, commonly known as Dog's Mercury, is a rhizomatous perennial herbaceous plant in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). It typically grows to a height of 10-30 cm. The stems are unbranched and square in cross-section. The leaves are opposite, ovate to lanceolate, with coarsely toothed margins. The plant is dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female. The male flowers are small, greenish, and borne in slender axillary spikes, while the female flowers are solitary or in pairs in the leaf axils. The fruit is a small, hairy capsule. It spreads via rhizomes and self-seeding.
Companion planting
Due to its toxicity and potential to spread, Dog's Mercury is not generally considered a beneficial companion plant. Care should be taken when planting near other plants, especially edibles. It thrives in shady, woodland conditions and may compete with other ground cover plants in similar habitats. Consider avoiding planting near edibles.
Propagation methods
Dog's Mercury can be propagated by seed sowing in the fall or early spring. It can also be propagated by division of the rhizomes in early spring or fall. Rhizome division is generally the easier and faster method.
History and traditions
Historically, Dog's Mercury has been used in traditional medicine, but due to its toxicity, it is rarely used today. It has been documented to have purgative properties. Its name 'Mercurialis' refers to the Roman god Mercury, and its use in alchemy and traditional medicine is tied to its perceived association with this deity. However, due to its toxic nature, traditional uses are documented more for historical understanding than active practice.
Usage calendar
Flowering occurs from March to May. Seeds ripen from May to July. Planting or division is best done in early spring (March-April) or fall (September-October). Pruning is not typically necessary.