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Erysimum cheiri - (L.)Crantz.                
                 
Common Name Wallflower
Family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae
Synonyms Cheiranthus cheiri. L.
Known Hazards The plant is said to be poisonous if used in large quantities[7].
Habitats Walls, cliffs and rocks, often near the sea in Britain[4, 17].
Range S. Europe. Naturalized in lowland Britain[17].
Edibility Rating  
Medicinal Rating  
Care
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun

Summary       

Physical Characteristics       
 icon of manicon of flower
Erysimum cheiri is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
It is hardy to zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Apr to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies.It is noted for attracting wildlife.


Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Erysimum cheiri Wallflower


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gc28_cheiranthus_cheirii.jpg
Erysimum cheiri Wallflower
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez
   
Habitats       
 Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. 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.

Antirheumatic;  Antispasmodic;  Aphrodisiac;  Cardiotonic;  Diuretic;  Emmenagogue;  Expectorant;  Nervine;  Ophthalmic;  Purgative;  Resolvent;  
Stomachic;  Tonic.

Wallflower was formerly used mainly as a diuretic and emmenagogue but recent research has shown that it is more valuable for its effect on the heart[254]. In small doses it is a cardiotonic, supporting a failing heart in a similar manner to foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)[254]. In more than small doses, however, it is toxic and so is seldom used in herbal medicine[254]. The flowers and stems are antirheumatic, antispasmodic, cardiotonic, emmenagogue, nervine, purgative and resolvent[4, 7, 46, 61, 240]. They are used in the treatment of impotence and paralysis[240]. The essential oil is normally used[4]. This should be used with caution because large doses are toxic[7]. The plant contains the chemical compound cheiranthin which has a stronger cardiotonic action than digitalis (obtained from Digitalis species). If taken in large doses this is very poisonous and so this plant should not be used medicinally without expert supervision[244]. The seeds are aphrodisiac, diuretic, expectorant, stomachic and tonic[240]. They are used in the treatment of dry bronchitis, fevers and injuries to the eyes[240].
Other Uses
Essential.

The flowers contain 0.06% essential oil[240]. It has a pleasing aroma if diluted and is used in perfumery[46, 61, 114, 244]. The seed contains about 20% fixed oil[240], but no details of any uses are given[K].
Cultivation details                                         
Prefers a position in full sun in a circumneutral soil[1, 111, 200]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soils[1], tolerating poor and limey soils[187]. Plants are liable to die out if the soil is too rich[111]. Wallflowers are perennial, though they are usually grown as biennials in the flower garden for spring and early summer bedding[1]. There are some named varieties[187]. A very ornamental plant[7], it is liable to die out after flowering, probably because it exhausts itself by producing so many flowers. Plants require a very well-drained dry soil if they are to survive a second winter[187]. They grow well on dry stone walls[201] and also on old mortared walls where they usually self-sow[219]. A good butterfly and moth plant[17, 30]. A good companion for apple trees[18, 20, 201].
                                                                                 
Propagation                                         
Seed - sow spring in an outdoor seedbed. Germination should take place within 3 weeks. Plant the seedlings into their permanent positions when they are large enough to handle. If seed is in short supply, it can be sown in spring in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.
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Expert comment                                         
 
      
Author                                         
(L.)Crantz.
                                                                                 
Botanical References                                         
200
                                                                                 
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.
[18]Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants.
Details of beneficial and antagonistic relationships between neighbouring plants.
[20]Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening.
Fairly good.
[30]Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe.
An excellent book on Lepidoptera, it also lists their favourite food plants.
[46]Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants.
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.
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.
[111]Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials.
A fairly wide range of perennial plants that can be grown in Britain and how to grow them.
[114]Chakravarty. H. L. The Plant Wealth of Iraq.
It is surprising how many of these plants can be grown in Britain. A very readable book on the useful plants of Iraq.
[187]Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2.
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
[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.
[201]Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting.
A well produced and very readable book.
[219]Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls
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).
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.
[244]Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs
Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
[254]Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

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