Practical
Plants

Ferula gummosa

Galbanum

a perennial member of the Ferula genus in the family Umbelliferae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Ferula
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Flies
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Flies

Uses

Edible uses

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

The gum resin obtained from the root is used as a celery-like food flavouring[3][5].

Product or use
Condiment

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 whole plant, but especially the root, contains the gum resin 'galbanum'[9]. This is antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant and stimulant[9][10][11][5]. It is used internally in the treatment of chronic bronchitis, asthma and other chest complaints[9][5]. It is a digestive stimulant and antispasmodic, reducing flatulence, griping pains and colic[7]. Externally it is used as a plaster for inflammatory swellings, ulcers, boils, wounds and skin complaints[9][5].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Stimulant

Material uses

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

The aromatic gum resin 'Galbanum' is obtained from wounds made in the stem[9]. It is collected by removing soil from around the top of the root and then cutting a slice off the root[11][5] and can also be obtained from incisions made in the stem[5]. It is used medicinally and is also an ingredient of incense[1][11][2][5]. It was an important ingredient of the incense used by the Israelites[8].

Environment

Range
W. Asia - Central Iran, Turkey and southern Russia.
Habitat
Herbaceous slopes in steppes[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
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 - best sown as soon as the seed is ripe in a greenhouse in autumn[1]. Otherwise sow in April in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Plant them out into their permanent positions whilst still small because the plants dislike root disturbance[1]. Give the plants a protective mulch for at least their first winter outdoors. Division in autumn. This may be inadvisable due to the plants dislike of root disturbance.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in most soils[1]. Requires a deep fertile soil in a sunny position[4]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[4]. Another report says that it tolerates temperatures down to at least -15°c and should therefore succeed outdoors in most parts of the country[5]. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance due to their long taproot[4]. They should be planted into their final positions as soon as possible. The flowers have an unpleasant smell[6].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  6. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  7. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  8. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩

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