Atractylis gummifera
| Atractylis gummifera | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Atractylis gummifera
Propagation: Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse or cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame until they are planted out in early summer.
Alternatively, the seed can be sown in situ in mid to late spring.
Cultivation: We have very little information on the cultivation needs of this species, but it succeeds outdoors at Bristol Botanical Gardens, where it flowers and sets viable seed[K]. It is likely to prefer a well-drained soil and a sunny position[K]. It strongly dislikes winter wet[K].
A monocarpic plant, living for a number of years without flowering, but then dying after it does flower.
Range: Mediterranean.
Habitat: Field verges and roadsides[1].
Edibility: A gum obtained from the plant is used for chewing[2][3][4].
Usage: A gum obtained from the plant is used as an adulteration for mastic[2][3][4]. Mastic (obtained from Pistacia lentiscus) is used in high grade varnishes, as a fixative in perfumes, tooth pastes, glue (especially for false beards), embalming, a temporary filling for teeth etc[5][6][2][7][8][9][10][11]. It is used to seal the edges of microscope mounts and is also chewed to preserve the teeth and gums[8].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press, 1987.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Howes, Frank. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Chronica Botanica, 1949.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.