Ruta graveolens
| Ruta graveolens | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Ruta graveolens (common name: rue)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1], it can also be sown in early to mid spring in a cold frame[2][3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of young shoots in late spring[4].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[1]. Very easy[K].
Layering in early summer. Old plants often self-layer[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in any soil but is hardier in a poor dry soil[5][6][1]. Prefers an open sunny position[7][8]. Prefers a partially shaded sheltered dry position but succeeds in full sun[4][5][1]. Prefers a well-drained or rocky soil[1]. Likes some lime in the soil[9]. Established plants are drought tolerant[10].
Hardy to about -10°c, possibly to lower temperatures when it is grown in a dry soil[11].
Often cultivated as a culinary and medicinal herb, there are some named varieties[11].
The bruised leaves have a pleasant orange-like fragrance[12]. It is one of the most pleasant herbs to inhale[12]. Rue releases its scent in a remarkable way. The essential oil is contained in a cavity immediately beneath the surface of the leaf, above which is a thin layer of cells pierced by a cavity in the middle. The cells swell up and bend inwards, pressing on the essential oil beneath, which is driven to the surface of the leaf and there released[12].
Rue is a poor companion plant for many other species, growing badly with sage, cabbage and sweet basil[2][13][14][15]. It is a good companion for roses and raspberries[15].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[1].
Range: S. Europe.
Habitat: Rocks, old walls and dry hills, mainly on limestone[16].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or used as a seasoning[17][7][18][19][3][16]. It is occasionally eaten in salads[5], but is strongly aromatic and slightly toxic, so should only be used in small quantities[7][18][20][21]. The taste is strong and bitter[22]. The leaves contain rutin, which has a beneficial effect upon the circulatory system[23]. Some caution is advised, see notes on toxicity above.
The leaves can be brewed into a tea[21].
Medicinal: Rue has a long history of use as a domestic remedy, being especially valued for its strengthening action on the eyes[5]. The plant contains flavonoids (notably rutin) that reduce capillary fragility, which might explain the plants reputation as an eye strengthener[22]. Some caution is advised in its use internally, however, since in large doses it is toxic and it can also cause miscarriages[5][7][22].
The whole herb is abortifacient, anthelmintic, antidote, antispasmodic, carminative, emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, haemostatic, ophthalmic, rubefacient, strongly stimulant, mildly stomachic and uterotonic[5][7][19][24][23]. The tops of fresh shoots are the most active medicinally, they should be gathered before the plant flowers and can be used fresh or dried[5]. An infusion is used in the treatment of hysterical affections, coughs, flatulence etc[5]. The juice of the plant has been used in treating earaches and chewing a leaf or two is said to quickly bring relief from giddiness, nervous headaches, palpitations etc[5].
An alkaloid found in the plant is abortifacient, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic[23].
A homeopathic remedy is obtained from the fresh herb, harvested in early summer shortly before flowering begins[25]. This is used in the treatment of a variety of complaints including eye strain, headache and sprains[25].
Usage: The growing or the dried plant can be used to repel insects, it is most useful when the plant is grown near roses and raspberries[5][2][13][14][20]. The dried herb can also be put in the linen cupboard to repel moths[2][13]. The growing plant is also said to repel cats[14].
A red dye is obtained from the plant[20].
An essential oil is obtained from the leaves and young shoots, it is used in perfumery and as a food flavouring[26]. The plant was formerly used as a strewing herb[20].
Plants can be grown for ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each way[27]. They can be trimmed back in spring to keep them bushy[27].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: All parts of this plant are poisonous in large quantities[18]. It should not be used at all by pregnant women since it can induce abortions[24]. The sap contains furanocoumarins, sensitizing the skin to light and causing blistering or dermatitis in sensi
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Vilmorin-Andrieux. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Thompson, Robert. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son, 1878.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press, 1987.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Stary, Frantisek. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn, 1983.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Niebuhr, Alta. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America, 1970.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Castro, Miranda. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan, 1990.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.