Alum Root

Alum Root (Heuchera cylindrica) is a perennial herb in the Saxifragaceae family, the saxifrages, and grows as a single-crowned forb that forms a low clump reaching about half a meter in height. It is native to western North America, occurring across Alberta, British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. Across that range it favors moist sites in full sun to partial shade, growing in light sandy to medium soils and tolerating a neutral to slightly alkaline pH of roughly 7 to 8. Because it is not drought resistant, it depends on consistent moisture and is best suited to gardens that can supply reliable water, particularly within hardiness zones 4 to 8. It is a rapid grower with medium-textured foliage, and its compact, low habit suits use as a ground cover in borders and open plantings. The leaves are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked; they are mild in flavor and are sometimes added to salads for texture. The plant is also noted as a mordant, a substance used to help dyes bind to fabric. Seed can be sown or established crowns divided to increase plantings. Consistently dry, exposed sites are a poor match, and moisture-retentive but free-draining ground gives the best results.