Erysimum cheiri
Wallflower
a perennial evergreen member of the Erysimum genus in the family Brassicaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Genus
- Erysimum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 0.5 m
- Fertility
- Bees, Flies
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Flies
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.
The plant is said to be poisonous if used in large quantities[18].
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.
Wallflower was formerly used mainly as a diuretic and emmenagogue but recent research has shown that it is more valuable for its effect on the heart[13]. In small doses it is a cardiotonic, supporting a failing heart in a similar manner to foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)[13]. In more than small doses, however, it is toxic and so is seldom used in herbal medicine[13]. The flowers and stems are antirheumatic, antispasmodic, cardiotonic, emmenagogue, nervine, purgative and resolvent[15][18][16][17][11]. They are used in the treatment of impotence and paralysis[11]. The essential oil is normally used[15]. This should be used with caution because large doses are toxic[18]. The plant contains the chemical compound cheiranthin which has a stronger cardiotonic action than digitalis (obtained from Digitalis species). If taken in large doses this is very poisonous and so this plant should not be used medicinally without expert supervision[12]. The seeds are aphrodisiac, diuretic, expectorant, stomachic and tonic[11]. They are used in the treatment of dry bronchitis, fevers and injuries to the eyes[11].
- Product or use
- Antirheumatic
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Aphrodisiac
- Product or use
- Cardiotonic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Nervine
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Purgative
- Product or use
- Resolvent
- Product or use
- Stomachic
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The flowers contain 0.06% essential oil[11]. It has a pleasing aroma if diluted and is used in perfumery[16][17][3][12]. The seed contains about 20% fixed oil[11], but no details of any uses are given[K].
- Product or use
- Essential
Environment
- Range
- S. Europe. Naturalized in lowland Britain[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in an outdoor seedbed. Germination should take place within 3 weeks. Plant the seedlings into their permanent positions when they are large enough to handle. If seed is in short supply, it can be sown in spring in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a position in full sun in a circumneutral soil[1][2][8]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soils[1], tolerating poor and limey soils[6]. Plants are liable to die out if the soil is too rich[2]. Wallflowers are perennial, though they are usually grown as biennials in the flower garden for spring and early summer bedding[1]. There are some named varieties[6]. A very ornamental plant[18], it is liable to die out after flowering, probably because it exhausts itself by producing so many flowers. Plants require a very well-drained dry soil if they are to survive a second winter[6]. They grow well on dry stone walls[9] and also on old mortared walls where they usually self-sow[10]. A good butterfly and moth plant[4][14]. A good companion for apple trees[5][7][9].
Associations and interactions
Malus domestica (Apple)
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00
Chakravarty. H. L. The Plant Wealth of Iraq.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2
Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5