regards
jim,cunnungham@sol.co.uk
Plants For A Future - Database Search Results
The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG,
England
Telephone Bodmin (+44 1208) 873554
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Ruta graveolens
Common name:
Rue
Family:
Rutaceae
Author:
L.
Botanical references:
11, 89,
200
Synonyms:
Known
Hazards:
All parts of this plant are poisonous in large
quantities[19]. It should not be used at all by pregnant women
since it can induce abortions[165]. The sap contains
furanocoumarins, sensitizing the skin to light and
causing blistering or dermatitis in sensitive people[200].
Range:
S. Europe.
Habitat:
Rocks, old walls and dry hills, mainly on limestone[89].
Habit:
Shrub
Decid/Ever:
E
Rating:
3
Height:
0.50
Width:
0.50
Hardyness:
5
Growth rate:
In leaf:
1 - 12
Flowering time:
6 - 9
Seed ripens:
8 - 10
Scented:
1
Flower Type:
H
Self-fertile:
Pollinators:
Soil:
LMH
Well-drained:
1
Heavy clay:
0
Poor Soil:
1
pH:
ANB
Acid:
0
Alkaline:
0
Saline:
0
Shade:
SN
Moisture:
DM
Wind:
Drought:
1
Nitrogen fixer:
0
Wildlife:
0
Pollution:
Frost tender:
N
Meadow
N
Lawn
N
Pond
N
Bog Garden
N
Rock Garden
N
Hedge
N
Hedgerow
N
Woodland
Y
Canopy
N
Secondary
N
Cultivated Beds
Y
Sunny Edge
Y
Dappled Shade
Y
Shady Edge
N
Deep Shade
N
Walls
In
North Wall
N
South Wall
In
East Wall
In
West Wall
In
Edible Uses
Rutin, Tea, Leaves, Condiment.
Leaves - raw or used as a seasoning[2, 7, 19, 21, 27, 89]. It is
occasionally eaten in salads[4], but is strongly aromatic and
slightly toxic, so should only be used in small quantities[7, 19, 148,
183]. The taste is strong and bitter[238]. The leaves
contain rutin, which has a beneficial effect upon the ciculatory
system[218]. Some caution is advised, see notes on toxicity
above.
The leaves can be brewed into a tea[183].
Medicinal Uses
Rubefacient, Homeopathy, Haemostatic, Antidote, Antiinflammatory,
Stomachic, Stimulant, Ophthalmic, Expectorant,
Emmenagogue, Emetic, Carminative, Antispasmodic, Anthelmintic,
Abortifacient.
Rue has a long history of use as a domestic remedy, being especially valued
for its strengthening action on the eyes[4]. The
plant contains flavonoids (notably rutin) that reduce capillary fragility,
which might explain the plants reputation as an eye
strengthener[238]. Some caution is advised in its use internally, however,
since in large doses it is toxic and it can also cause
miscarriages[4, 7, 238]. The whole herb is abortifacient, anthelmintic,
antidote, antispasmodic, carminative, emetic,
emmenagogue, expectorant, haemostatic, ophthalmic, rubefacient, strongly
stimulant, mildly stomachic and uterotonic[4, 7, 21,
165, 218]. 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[4]. An infusion is used in the treatment of
hysterical affections, coughs, flatulence etc[4]. The juice of the
plant has been used in treating earaches and chewing a leaf or two is said
to quickly bring relief from giddyness, nervous
headaches, palpitations etc[4].
An alkaloid found in the plant is abortifacient, antiinflammatory and
antispasmodic[218].
A homeopathic remedy is obtained from the fresh herb, harvested in early
summer shortly before flowering begins[232]. This is
used in the treatment of a variety of complaints including eye strain,
headache and sprains[232].
Other Uses
Ground cover, Strewing, Essential, Repellent, Dye.
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[4, 14, 18, 20, 148]. The dried herb can also be put in the
linen cupboard to repel moths[14, 18]. The growing
plant is also said to repel cats[20].
A red dye is obtained from the plant[148].
An essential oil is obtained from the leaves and young shoots, it is used
in perfumery and as a food flavouring[61]. The plant
was formerly used as a strewing herb[148].
Plants can be grown for ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each
way[208]. They can be trimmed back in spring to
keep them bushy[208].
Cultivation details
Succeeds in any soil but is hardier in a poor dry soil[4, 37, 200]. Prefers
an open sunny position[7, 182]. Prefers a partially
shaded sheltered dry position but succeeds in full sun[1, 4, 200]. Prefers
a well-drained or rocky soil[200]. Likes some lime in
the soil[11]. Established plants are drought tolerant[190].
Hardy to about -10°c, possibly to lower temperaturesr when it is grown in a
dry soil[187].
Often cultivated as a culinary and medicinal herb, there are some named
varieties[187].
Rue is a poor companion plant for many other species, growing badly with
sage, cabbage and sweet basil[14, 18, 20, 201]. It
is a good companion for roses and raspberries[201].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200], it can also be
sown in March/April in a cold frame[14, 27].
Cuttings of young shoots in late spring[1].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200]. Very easy[K].
Layering in early summer. Old plants often self-layer[200].
Scent
No details on scent.
Cultivars
''
No entries have been made for this species as yet.
References
[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants for a Future and on field
trips.
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford
University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated,
it has been replaces in 1992 by a new
dictionary (see [200]).
[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover
Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6.
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9.
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN
0-356-10541-5.
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information
on the plants. Good photographs.
[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and
Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
[14] Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979
ISBN 0-87857-262-7.
A good herbal.
[18] Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979
Details of beneficial and antagonistic relationships between neighbouring
plants.
[19] Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983 ISBN 0-600-35666-3.
Not very comprehensive, but easy reading.
[20] Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way,
Vermont, USA. 1978 ISBN
0-88266-064-0.
Fairly good.
[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2.
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
[27] Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8.
A reprint of a nineteenth century classic, giving details of vegetable
varieties. Not really that informative though.
[37] Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878
Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th
century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables
with many little known species.
[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN
0094579202.
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject.
Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the
world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
[89] Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press
1987 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1.
A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some
information on plant uses.
[148] Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. 1970.
A pleasant little book about Greek herbs.
[165] Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
An excellent small herbal.
[182] Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992
ISBN 0-7195-5043-2.
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their
ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details
and varieties.
[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong
Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9.
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional
food plants (including tropical) and where they can
be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and
a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991
ISBN 0-330-30936-9.
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants
together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
[190] Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982 ISBN 0460045512.
A good list of drought resistant plants with details on how to grow them.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press
1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly
mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.
1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2.
A well produced and very readable book.
[208] Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990 ISBN
0-460-12609-1.
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.
[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference
Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN
0-917256-20-4.
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their
uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of
constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
[232] Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990
ISBN 0-333-55581-3.
A concise beginner's guide to the subject. Very readable.
[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley,
London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31.
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe.
Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the
serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two
separate entries for each plant.
[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994.
ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant
uses and brief cultivation details. There are no
illustrations.
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