Ferula narthex
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Umbelliferae
- Genus
- Ferula
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 2.5 m
- Fertility
- self fertile
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
Leaves and young shoots[2][4]. Used as a pot-herb[5]. The gum obtained from the roots is used as a condiment[5][9].
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Plant part
- Leaves
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.
The gum resin obtained from the root is anthelmintic, antispasmodic, expectorant and nervine[7]. It is used in the treatment of asthma, whooping cough, flatulent colic, and in pneumonia and bronchitis in children[7]. The leaves are carminative and diaphoretic[7]. The plant has recently been investigated as a potential contraceptive[8].
- Product or use
- Anthelmintic
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Contraceptive
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Nervine
Material uses
The root is a source of the gum 'asafoetida'[1][5][10], it is used as a condiment and as a medicine. It is obtained by incision of the roots[3].
- Product or use
- Gum
Environment
- Range
- W. Asia - Afghanistan to Pakistan.
- Habitat
- Not known
- 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
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
Succeeds in most soils[1]. Requires a deep fertile soil in a sunny position[6]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[6]. The whole plant is very strong-smelling[6]. Plants have a long taproot and are intolerant of root disturbance[6]. They should be planted into their final positions as soon as possible.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Chakravarty. H. L. The Plant Wealth of Iraq.
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
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
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
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