Fumaria officinalis

Taxonomy and growth

Family

Fumariaceae

Genus

Fumaria

Life cycle

annual

Height

0.3 m

Spread

0.3 m

Fertility

Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Self

Flower type

hermaphrodite

Pollinators

Bees, Flies, Self

Uses

Edible uses

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

The fresh or dried herb can be added to sour plant milks. A few sprays are added to each litre of liquid and left until the liquid has soured thickly. The sprays are then removed. It gives a tangy taste to the milk, acts as a preservative and prevents the rancid taste that can accompany soured milk^[3].

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.

Fumitory has been highly valued since at least Roman times for its tonic and blood cleansing effect upon the body^[7]. It is particularly valuable in the treatment of all visceral obstructions, particularly those of the liver, in scorbutic affections and in troublesome eruptive diseases of the skin, especially eczema (for which it can be taken internally and externally)^[8][9][5]. The herb is antispasmodic, aperient, cholagogue, slightly diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, laxative and weakly tonic^{[8][9][4][1][6]}. The plant is harvested as flowering begins in the summer and can be used fresh or can be dried for later use^[9][5]. Some caution should be exercised in the use of this herb since excess doses cause hypnotic and sedative effects, especially if it is taken for more than about 8 days^[5][7].

Material uses

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

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers^[8][4]. A decoction makes a curative lotion for 'milk-crust' on the scalps of babies^[8].

Environment

Range

Most of Europe, including Britain, to the Mediterranean and east to Iran.

Habitat

Arable land and as a weed in gardens, usually on lighter soils^[9][2]. It is also found growing on old walls^[7].

Light

full sun

Shade tolerance

light shade

Water

moderate

Hardiness

Zone 5+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy

Soil pH

acid, neutral, alkaline

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

No

Drought

intolerant

Propagation

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

Cultivation

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

Prefers a light well-drained soil in a sunny position^[9][2][5]. This plant can be a common weed in some gardens, self-sowing freely, though it is fairly easy to control by hand weeding[K]. The flowers are seldom visited by insects, but they are self-fertile and usually set every seed^[8].

References

1. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

   ↩

2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

   ↩1↩2

3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

   ↩

4. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

   ↩1↩2

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

   ↩1↩2↩3↩4

6. 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

   ↩

7. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

   ↩1↩2↩3

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

   ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

9. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

   ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5