Delphinium staphisagria
| Delphinium staphisagria | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Delphinium staphisagria (common name: stavesacre)
Propagation: Seed - sow March in a cold frame or April outdoors. Keep moist and in a shady position until germination takes place[1]. Seed can also be sown either in a cold frame or in situ as soon as it is ripe in mid to late summer[1], though seedlings from the outdoor sowing can be killed in cold winters[K]. The seed has a limited viability so it should be stored in a sealed container at about 3°c[2]. Temperatures above 15°c inhibit germination[1]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 9 weeks at 15°c[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils and situations[3] but prefers a rich well-drained neutral to alkaline soil[3][2][4] and is intolerant of winter-wet soils[2]. Requires an open sunny position[5].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[2].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[6].
Range: Europe - Mediterranean.
Habitat: Field verges and in scrub, on hot dry soils[7]. Often found in poor soils[8].
Medicinal: Stavesacre is a very poisonous plant that is rarely used in modern herbal medicine[4]. The seed is antispasmodic, cathartic, emetic and vermifuge[3][9]. The seeds cause a strong salivation if they are chewed and have been used in the treatment of toothache and other painful conditions of the throat and gums[8]. They are so strongly emetic and cathartic, however, that they are rarely used internally[3]. Externally, a decoction is used to treat itchy skin and parasites4]. The seed is very poisonous and should be used with great caution[3].
The plant has been used externally in the treatment of warts, lice and itches[8].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the seeds[8]. This is used in the treatment of a variety of ailments including toothache, injuries and headache[8].
Usage: A parasiticide is obtained from the leaves[10]. It is quite toxic and so is for external use only.
The seed is used to make a potent insecticide, parasiticide and to destroy vermin[3][11][7][12][4]. It is used to kill head lice[4].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant contain diterpene alkaloids and are highly toxic[3][13][4]. The plant is most toxic when it is young[2]. Ingestion of a lethal dose produces a feeling of excitement, followed by depression and extreme sensitivity of the nerves,
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Bird, Alfred. Focus on Plants Volume 5. Thompson and Morgan, 1991.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press, 1987.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Castro, Miranda. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan, 1990.
- ↑ Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ Schofield, Janice. Discovering Wild Plants.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ Niebuhr, Alta. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America, 1970.