Antirrhinum majus Snapdragon PFAF Plant Database

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Antirrhinum majus - L.

Common Name

Snapdragon

Family

Scrophulariaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Old walls, rocks and dry places[17, 100].

Range

Europe. Naturalized in Britain[17].

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Antirrhinum majus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
It is hardy to zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to September, and the seeds ripen from Aug to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, self.The plant is self-fertile.

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Antirrhinum_majus_clean.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:IvanTortuga

Habitats
Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Oil. Edible Uses: Oil. An oil that is little inferior to olive oil is said to be obtained from the seeds[4]. The report also says that the plant has been cultivated in Russia for this purpose[4]. The seeds are very small and I wonder about the authenticity of this report[K].

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.

Antiphlogistic; Bitter; Resolvent; Stimulant.

The leaves and flowers are antiphlogistic, bitter, resolvent and stimulant[7, 115]. They have been employed in poultices on tumours and ulcers[4]. It is effective in the treatment of all kinds of inflammation and is also used on haemorrhoids[7]. The plant is harvested in the summer when in flower and is dried for later use[7].

Other Uses
Dye; Oil. A green dye is obtained from the flowers, it does not require a mordant[168]. Dark green and gold can also be obtained if a mordant is used[168].

Cultivation details
Prefers a light well drained loam and a sunny position[1, 200]. Plants are tolerant of clay and lime soils, and also grow well on old walls[200]. Plants are often grown as an annual since they usually degenerate in their second year[1]. They often self sow when well-sited[K]. There are many named forms, selected for their ornamental value[200].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow March in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 10 - 21 days at 18°c[134]. Cool nights assist germination[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in July/August and will produce larger and more floriferous plants the following summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood in September in a cold frame[200].

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
100200

Links / 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

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.

Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[7]Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.

Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.

A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[100]Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide.

An excellent and well illustrated pocket guide for those with very large pockets. Also gives some details on plant uses.

[115]Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

Written about a hundred years ago, but still a very good guide to the useful plants of Britain.

[134]Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2.

Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.

[168]Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants.

A very good and readable book on dyeing.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
	Tue Dec 28 01:17:51 2004

This plant is found in Malta/Mediterranean basin/Europe

More comprehensive details, medicinal properties, uses, botanical data, plant description and photogallery of high resolutions photos of this plant can be seen on an interesting website about the wild plants of Malta: www.maltawildplants.com

Link: Malta Wild Plants Website and photography by Stephen Mifsud, Malta

Elizabeth H.
martin	Sat Feb 28 2009

I have some trach majus, can anyone tell me if this plant will grow in the UK and if so how do you grow it?

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