Boenninghausenia albiflora
| Boenninghausenia albiflora | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Boenninghausenia albiflora
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse in the autumn[1]. Sow stored seed in February to May in a greenhouse[2]. Only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 15°c[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[3].
Cultivation: Requires a warm sheltered position in a well-drained soil that is not too dry[4][2][3]. Plants are likely to rot if the soil remains too wet in winter[3]. Succeeds on chalk[4][5].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[3]. Plants are often cut to the ground in severe winters but they usually regrow from the base[4][5]. It is best to give the roots a mulch in the winter[4].
A very ornamental but short-lived plant[6]. The leaves are very aromatic[1].
Range: E. Asia - Himalayas to Japan.
Habitat: Forests and shrubberies to 3300 metres in the Himalayas[7]. Generally found in moist places in Nepal at elevations of 500 - 3000 metres[8].
Medicinal: The leaves are pounded and applied to cuts and wounds as a styptic and to speed the healing process[9][8]. They are crushed and placed in the nostrils in the treatment of malaria[9]. The external application of the leaves is also used in the treatment of scabies[8]. The leaf juice is dropped into wounds in order to kill germs[8]. Applied externally to the forehead, the juice is said to relieve headaches, whilst the whole plant is placed under the pillow whilst sleeping to relieve headaches[8].
A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of malaria[9].
Usage: The plant contains 0.2 - 0.4% essential oils[8]. The dried leaves are used as a flea repellent[8].
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Ruta alba
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg and Adam Stainton. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.