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Gratiola officinalis - L.

Common Name

Hedge Hyssop

Family

Scrophulariaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant are poisonous[9, 65, 200].

Habitats

Wet grassland, fens, river banks, ditches etc[9, 50].

Range

Central and southern Europe.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics
PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from Jun to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils..It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.It requires moist or wet soil.


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Gratiola_officinalis0.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Bog Garden;

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.

Cardiac; Diuretic; Homeopathy; Purgative; Vermifuge.

Hedge hyssop was once widely used as a medicinal herb but it is now considered to be obsolete because of its toxicity[238]. The root and the flowering herb are cardiac, diuretic, violently purgative and vermifuge[4, 9, 21]. The plant has been used in the treatment of liver problems, enlargement of the spleen, dropsy, jaundice, intestinal worms etc[4, 238]. The plant is harvested whilst in flower in the summer and dried for later use[9, 238]. Use with caution, in excess the plant causes abortion, kidney damage and bowel haemorrhage[238]. See also the notes above on toxicity. A homeopathic remedy is made from the flowering plant[9]. It is used in the treatment of cystitis, colic and certain stomach disorders[9].

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details
Prefers a rich moist alkaline soil in full sun[1, 200, 238]. Succeeds in pond margins[1].

Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[1]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
50200

Links / References

[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.

[9]Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants.

Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.

[21]Lust. J. The Herb Book.

Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.

[50]? Flora Europaea

An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.

[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.

[238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.

A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

Readers comment

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Subject : Gratiola officinalis

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