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Inula conyza - DC.

Ploughman's Spikenard

Author	DC.	Botanical references	17
Family	Compositae	Genus	Inula
Synonyms	Conyza squarrosa - L. Inula squarrosa - non L. Inula vulgaris - Trevis.
Known Hazards	None known
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[17].
Edibility Rating	0 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	1 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Biennial/Perennial growing to 1.2m by 0.4m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; East Wall In; West Wall In;

Edible Uses

None known

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.

Antiscrophulatic; Emmenagogue; Vulnerary.

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].

Other Uses

Incense; Insecticide; Parasiticide.

The leaves are burnt and used as an insecticide and parasiticide, especially against fleas[4, 100]. 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[245].

Scented Plants

Plant: Fresh Crushed Dried

All parts of the plant are refreshingly aromatic.

Cultivation details

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[17]. The basal leaves form a rosette that covers the ground for 30cm or more, destroying the grass underneath[245]. All parts of the plant are refreshingly aromatic[245].

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.

Links

References

[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]).

[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.

[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[100] Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969 ISBN 0192176218
An excellent and well illustrated pocket guide for those with very large pockets. Also gives some details on plant uses.

[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.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Inula conyza

colin hart Wed Dec 30 2009

Your reference 17 should be Clapham, Tutin and Warburg etc...

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