Ferula narthex
| Ferula narthex | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 8' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Ferula narthex
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as the seed is ripe in a greenhouse in autumn[1]. Otherwise sow in April in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Plant them out into their permanent positions whilst still small because the plants dislike root disturbance[1]. Give the plants a protective mulch for at least their first winter outdoors.
Division in autumn. This may be inadvisable due to the plants dislike of root disturbance.
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils[1]. Requires a deep fertile soil in a sunny position[2].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[2].
The whole plant is very strong-smelling[2].
Plants have a long taproot and are intolerant of root disturbance[2]. They should be planted into their final positions as soon as possible.
Range: W. Asia - Afghanistan to Pakistan.
Edibility: Leaves and young shoots[3][4]. Used as a pot-herb[5].
The gum obtained from the roots is used as a condiment[5][6].
Medicinal: The gum resin obtained from the root is anthelmintic, antispasmodic, expectorant and nervine[7]. It is used in the treatment of asthma, whooping cough, flatulent colic, and in pneumonia and bronchitis in children[7].
The leaves are carminative and diaphoretic[7].
The plant has recently been investigated as a potential contraceptive[8].
Usage: The root is a source of the gum 'asafoetida'[1][5][9], it is used as a condiment and as a medicine. It is obtained by incision of the roots[10].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: F. jaeschkeana. Vatke.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Chakravarty, Hiralal. The Plant Wealth of Iraq. 1976.