Erysimum cheiri
| Erysimum cheiri | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 6.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Early Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Erysimum cheiri (common name: wallflower)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in an outdoor seedbed. Germination should take place within 3 weeks. Plant the seedlings into their permanent positions when they are large enough to handle.
If seed is in short supply, it can be sown in spring in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.
Cultivation: Prefers a position in full sun in a circumneutral soil[1][2][3]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soils[1], tolerating poor and limey soils[4]. Plants are liable to die out if the soil is too rich[2].
Wallflowers are perennial, though they are usually grown as biennials in the flower garden for spring and early summer bedding[1]. There are some named varieties[4]. A very ornamental plant[5], it is liable to die out after flowering, probably because it exhausts itself by producing so many flowers. Plants require a very well-drained dry soil if they are to survive a second winter[4]. They grow well on dry stone walls[6] and also on old mortared walls where they usually self-sow[7].
A good butterfly and moth plant[8][9].
A good companion for apple trees[10][11][6].
Range: S. Europe. Naturalized in lowland Britain[8].
Habitat: Walls, cliffs and rocks, often near the sea in Britain[12][8].
Medicinal: Wallflower was formerly used mainly as a diuretic and emmenagogue but recent research has shown that it is more valuable for its effect on the heart[13]. In small doses it is a cardiotonic, supporting a failing heart in a similar manner to foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)[13]. In more than small doses, however, it is toxic and so is seldom used in herbal medicine[13].
The flowers and stems are antirheumatic, antispasmodic, cardiotonic, emmenagogue, nervine, purgative and resolvent[12][5][14][15][16]. They are used in the treatment of impotence and paralysis[16]. The essential oil is normally used[12]. This should be used with caution because large doses are toxic[5].
The plant contains the chemical compound cheiranthin which has a stronger cardiotonic action than digitalis (obtained from Digitalis species). If taken in large doses this is very poisonous and so this plant should not be used medicinally without expert supervision[17].
The seeds are aphrodisiac, diuretic, expectorant, stomachic and tonic[16]. They are used in the treatment of dry bronchitis, fevers and injuries to the eyes[16].
Usage: The flowers contain 0.06% essential oil[16]. It has a pleasing aroma if diluted and is used in perfumery[14][15][18][17].
The seed contains about 20% fixed oil[16], but no details of any uses are given[K].
Pollinators: Bees, flies
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The plant is said to be poisonous if used in large quantities[5].
Also Known As: Cheiranthus cheiri. L.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Carter, David. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan, 1982.
- ↑ Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
- ↑ Chakravarty, Hiralal. The Plant Wealth of Iraq. 1976.