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Onosma echioides - L.

Author	L.	Botanical references	89, 200
Family	Boraginaceae	Genus	Onosma
Synonyms
Known Hazards	The bristly stems and leaves can cause a good deal of irritation to the skin[219].
Range	S. Europe to N. Africa.
Habitat	Limestone slopes and rocks to 1600 metres[187]. Crevices in rocks and cliffs[89].
Edibility Rating	0 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	1 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.3m.

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

Habitats

Cultivated Beds; South 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.

Alterative; Laxative; Poultice; Stimulant.

The leaves are alterative[240]. They are made into a powder and given to children as a purgative[240]. The flowers are used as a cordial and stimulant in the treatment of rheumatism and palpitations of the heart[240]. The root is bruised and used as an external application to skin eruptions[240].

Other Uses

Dye.

A red dye is obtained from the root. It is an alkanna substitute[46, 61].

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained soil in full sun[1, 187]. Prefers a deep rather rich sandy loam[1]. Best grown in a crevice in a rock garden or on a wall[1, 187]. Tolerates hot dry conditions and also drought once it is established, but disliking winter wet[190]. Plants also dislike wet summers[200]. Hardy to about -15°c[187]. There is some confusion over this species. It is given as a part of O. frutescens in some reports but [200] gives it specific status. A very ornamental plant[1].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in early summer. Cuttings in a frame in the summer. Shade them for the first 10 - 12 days[1].

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 Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[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.

[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.

[219] Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983 ISBN 0-00-219220-0
A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

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.

Onosma echioides

ren Thu Apr 21 20:21:31 2005

I would appreciate if someone from your site might offer me additional information regarding the possible permanent harmful affects of Onosma echioides

I recently used a topical oil that dripped into my lower eye lid causing severe burining for the last 24 hours, I have used saline though still slight pain the composition consisted of (Charetta Rusi oil Loh-churna Karpoor Ratajyot Chandan oil Khus oil Sesame oil Pudinasat (menthol?, not sure) Mulethi ( I believe licorice) Gulab phool (is this lieterally essence of a rose flower?)

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