Thapsia garganica
| Thapsia garganica | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 4' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Thapsia garganica (common name: drias plant)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[K]. 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.
Root cuttings.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species, it probably requires a well drained light fertile soil in a sunny position.
One report says that it is not hardy in Britain requiring greenhouse or half-hardy treatment[1]. We have grown it in the past in Cornwall, it survived 3 winters in a cold greenhouse with us before succumbing to slugs.
Range: Europe - Mediterranean.
Habitat: Rocky places, fields and sunny slopes[2].
Medicinal: The root is diuretic, emetic and purgative[1][3][4]. A resin is extracted with alcohol from the bark of the root[3]. The plant has been considered specific in treating pain, though caution is advised since it is poisonous to some mammals[3]. The plant is also strongly rubefacient, producing blisters and intense itching[3].
Usage: Yields a resin that is used in plasters[4][5][6][7]. No further details are given.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The resin in the sap can cause skin irritation[3].
Also Known As: T. decussata.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press, 1980.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Howes, Frank. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Chronica Botanica, 1949.