Practical
Plants

Delphinium staphisagria

Stavesacre

a biennial or perennial member of the Delphinium genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial, perennial
Height
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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

All parts of the plant contain diterpene alkaloids and are highly toxic[9][2][8]. The plant is most toxic when it is young[6]. Ingestion of a lethal dose produces a feeling of excitement, followed by depression and extreme sensitivity of the nerves, followed by paralysis, a slowing of the pulse and finally death by asphyxia[7].

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.

Stavesacre is a very poisonous plant that is rarely used in modern herbal medicine[8]. The seed is antispasmodic, cathartic, emetic and vermifuge[9][10]. The seeds cause a strong salivation if they are chewed and have been used in the treatment of toothache and other painful conditions of the throat and gums[7]. They are so strongly emetic and cathartic, however, that they are rarely used internally[9]. Externally, a decoction is used to treat itchy skin and parasites4]. The seed is very poisonous and should be used with great caution[9]. The plant has been used externally in the treatment of warts, lice and itches[7]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the seeds[7]. This is used in the treatment of a variety of ailments including toothache, injuries and headache[7].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Cathartic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Sialagogue
Product or use
Vermifuge
Product or use
Warts

Material uses

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

A parasiticide is obtained from the leaves[3]. It is quite toxic and so is for external use only. The seed is used to make a potent insecticide, parasiticide and to destroy vermin[9][12][13][1][8]. It is used to kill head lice[8].

Product or use
Insecticide
Product or use
Parasiticide

Environment

Range
Europe - Mediterranean.
Habitat
Field verges and in scrub, on hot dry soils[13]. Often found in poor soils[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, 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 - sow March in a cold frame or April outdoors. Keep moist and in a shady position until germination takes place[4]. Seed can also be sown either in a cold frame or in situ as soon as it is ripe in mid to late summer[4], though seedlings from the outdoor sowing can be killed in cold winters[K]. The seed has a limited viability so it should be stored in a sealed container at about 3°c[6]. Temperatures above 15°c inhibit germination[4]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 9 weeks at 15°c[4].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in most soils and situations[9] but prefers a rich well-drained neutral to alkaline soil[9][6][8] and is intolerant of winter-wet soils[6]. Requires an open sunny position[5]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[6]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[11].

References

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

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  2. Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. 1970-00-00

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  3. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

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  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  7. Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-333-55581-3

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  10. Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00

    ↩

  11. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

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

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

    ↩1↩2

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