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Ferula narthex - Boiss.

Common Name Ferula
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Grassy slopes at elevations around 3600 metres in Tibet[266].
Range W. Asia - Afghanistan to Pakistan.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Ferula narthex Ferula


Ferula narthex Ferula

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Ferula narthex is a PERENNIAL growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

F. jaeschkeana. Vatke.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; East Wall. By. South Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses: Condiment  Gum

Leaves and young shoots[105, 177]. Used as a pot-herb[2]. The gum obtained from the roots is used as a condiment[2, 46].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Antispasmodic  Carminative  Contraceptive  Diaphoretic  Expectorant  Nervine

The gum resin obtained from the root is anthelmintic, antispasmodic, expectorant and nervine[240]. It is used in the treatment of asthma, whooping cough, flatulent colic, and in pneumonia and bronchitis in children[240]. The leaves are carminative and diaphoretic[240]. The plant has recently been investigated as a potential contraceptive[254].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Gum

The root is a source of the gum 'asafoetida'[1, 2, 61], it is used as a condiment and as a medicine. It is obtained by incision of the roots[114].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils[1]. Requires a deep fertile soil in a sunny position[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. The whole plant is very strong-smelling[200]. Plants have a long taproot and are intolerant of root disturbance[200]. They should be planted into their final positions as soon as possible.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Bunium ferulaceum Perennial0.6 -  LMHNM20 
Ferula assa-foetidaAsafoetida - Devil's Dung. Hing (Indian), AsafetidaPerennial2.0 7-10  LMHNDM332
Ferula caspica Perennial0.3 -  LMHNDM02 
Ferula communisGiant FennelPerennial2.5 7-10  LMHNDM112
Ferula conocaula Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM02 
Ferula foetidaAsafoetidaPerennial1.0 7-10  LMHNDM232
Ferula gummosaGalbanumPerennial1.0 5-9  LMHNDM222
Ferula karelinii Perennial0.6 -  LMHNDM10 
Ferula longifolia Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM10 
Ferula marmarica Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM001
Ferula moschataMusk RootPerennial2.5 8-11  LMHNDM021
Ferula persica Perennial1.0 6-9  LMHNDM011
Ferula schair Perennial1.0 -  LMHNDM001
Ferula szowitziana Perennial0.6 -  LMHNDM001
Ferula tingitana Perennial2.0 8-11  LMHNDM001

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Boiss.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

shahul hameed   Wed Jul 6 06:01:22 2005

Authority is Boiss. ie. Ferula narthex.Boiss

Link: michael moore. s.w.college of botanical medicine

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