Practical
Plants

Arnebia euchroma

a perennial member of the Arnebia genus in the family Boraginaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Arnebia
Life cycle
perennial
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

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 root is antipyretic, cancer, contraceptive, emollient and vulnerary[3]. It is used in the treatment of measles, mild constipation, burns, frostbite, eczema, dermatitis etc[3][5]. Experimentally it has shown contraceptive action on rats, inhibiting oestrus, the fertility rate and the release of pituitary gonadotrophin hormone and chorion gonadotrophin hormone[3]. It inhibits the growth of cancer cells on the chorion membrane[3]. The root contains shikonin, an antitumour and bactericidal compound[5]. It inhibits the growth of E. coli, Bacillus typhi, B. dysenteriae, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus aureus[5]. Shikonin also promotes the healing of wounds on topical application[3].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antipyretic
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Contraceptive
Product or use
Emollient
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

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

The root contains a copious purple dye[6].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas from Afghanistan to C. Nepal.
Habitat
Open slopes and rocks, only in the drier areas of the Himalayas, 3300 - 4500 metres[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy
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 - sow spring in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 8 weeks at 20°c[2]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. It is best to harvest the seed when it is slightly under-ripe, since it is quickly dispersed when ripe[4]. Cuttings with a heel in the autumn in sand in a cold frame[1]. Root cuttings in sand in a frame during the winter[1].

Cultivation

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

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a well-drained gritty soil and a sunny position in the rock garden or on a dry wall[1].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  3. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩

  5. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  7. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩

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