Practical
Plants

Boenninghausenia albiflora

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Boenninghausenia genus in the family Rutaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rutaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1 m
Spread
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

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 leaves are pounded and applied to cuts and wounds as a styptic and to speed the healing process[7][8]. They are crushed and placed in the nostrils in the treatment of malaria[7]. The external application of the leaves is also used in the treatment of scabies[8]. The leaf juice is dropped into wounds in order to kill germs[8]. Applied externally to the forehead, the juice is said to relieve headaches, whilst the whole plant is placed under the pillow whilst sleeping to relieve headaches[8]. A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of malaria[7].

Product or use
Styptic
Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Parasiticide

Material uses

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

The plant contains 0.2 - 0.4% essential oils[8]. The dried leaves are used as a flea repellent[8].

Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Essential

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas to Japan.
Habitat
Forests and shrubberies to 3300 metres in the Himalayas[9]. Generally found in moist places in Nepal at elevations of 500 - 3000 metres[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse in the autumn[5]. Sow stored seed in February to May in a greenhouse[3]. Only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 15°c[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[6].

Cultivation

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

Requires a warm sheltered position in a well-drained soil that is not too dry[2][3][6]. Plants are likely to rot if the soil remains too wet in winter[6]. Succeeds on chalk[2][4]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[6]. Plants are often cut to the ground in severe winters but they usually regrow from the base[2][4]. It is best to give the roots a mulch in the winter[2]. A very ornamental but short-lived plant[1]. The leaves are very aromatic[5].

References

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. 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

  8. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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

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