Practical
Plants

Antirrhinum majus

Snapdragon

a perennial member of the Antirrhinum genus in the family Scrophulariaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
0.2 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An oil that is little inferior to olive oil is said to be obtained from the seeds[8]. The report also says that the plant has been cultivated in Russia for this purpose[8]. The seeds are very small and I wonder about the authenticity of this report[K].

Product or use
Oil

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves and flowers are antiphlogistic, bitter, resolvent and stimulant[9][3]. They have been employed in poultices on tumours and ulcers[8]. It is effective in the treatment of all kinds of inflammation and is also used on haemorrhoids[9]. The plant is harvested in the summer when in flower and is dried for later use[9].

Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Resolvent
Product or use
Stimulant

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A green dye is obtained from the flowers, it does not require a mordant[5]. Dark green and gold can also be obtained if a mordant is used[5].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
Europe. Naturalized in Britain[6].
Habitat
Old walls, rocks and dry places[6][2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow March in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 10 - 21 days at 18°c[4]. Cool nights assist germination[4]. 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[7].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a light well drained loam and a sunny position[1][7]. Plants are tolerant of clay and lime soils, and also grow well on old walls[7]. 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[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩

  3. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩

  4. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩1↩2

  6. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

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