Practical
Plants

Atractylis gummifera

a perennial member of the Atractylis genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

A gum obtained from the plant is used for chewing[6][8][1].

Product or use
Gum

Material uses

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

A gum obtained from the plant is used as an adulteration for mastic[6][8][1]. Mastic (obtained from Pistacia lentiscus) is used in high grade varnishes, as a fixative in perfumes, tooth pastes, glue (especially for false beards), embalming, a temporary filling for teeth etc[10][2][6][7][9][3][4][5]. It is used to seal the edges of microscope mounts and is also chewed to preserve the teeth and gums[9].

Product or use
Gum

Environment

Range
Mediterranean.
Habitat
Field verges and roadsides[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse or cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame until they are planted out in early summer. Alternatively, the seed can be sown in situ in mid to late spring.

Cultivation

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

We have very little information on the cultivation needs of this species, but it succeeds outdoors at Bristol Botanical Gardens, where it flowers and sets viable seed[K]. It is likely to prefer a well-drained soil and a sunny position[K]. It strongly dislikes winter wet[K]. A monocarpic plant, living for a number of years without flowering, but then dying after it does flower.

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  3. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

  5. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  6. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩

  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  9. Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  11. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

    ↩

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