Inula conyza
| Inula conyza | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 4' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Inula conyza (common name: ploughman's spikenard)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
If you have sufficient seed, it is worthwhile trying a sowing in situ in the spring or the autumn.
Cultivation: Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[1].
The basal leaves of this species are often mistaken for the foxglove, Digitalis purpurea[2].
The basal leaves form a rosette that covers the ground for 30cm or more, destroying the grass underneath[3].
All parts of the plant are refreshingly aromatic[3].
Range: Central and southeastern Europe, including Britain, from Denmark to N. Africa and the Near East.
Habitat: Dry or rocky slopes and cliffs, also in open scrub on calcareous soils[2].
Medicinal: The herb is antiscrofulatic, emmenagogue and vulnerary[4]. The plant was considered to be a good wound herb and it was frequently taken in decoction for bruises, ruptures, internal wounds etc[4]. It was applied externally to treat itchy skin[4].
Usage: The leaves are burnt and used as an insecticide and parasiticide, especially against fleas[4][5]. Even the smell of the plant is said to drive fleas away[4].
The root used to be burnt upon a fire in order to scent a room[3].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, self
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: I. squarrosa. non L. Conyza squarrosa.
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.