Practical
Plants

Inula conyza

Ploughman's Spikenard

a biennial or perennial member of the Inula genus in the family Compositae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Inula
Life cycle
biennial, perennial
Height
1.2 m
Spread
0.4 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Self

Uses

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 herb is antiscrofulatic, emmenagogue and vulnerary[5]. The plant was considered to be a good wound herb and it was frequently taken in decoction for bruises, ruptures, internal wounds etc[5]. It was applied externally to treat itchy skin[5].

Product or use
Antiscrophulatic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

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

The leaves are burnt and used as an insecticide and parasiticide, especially against fleas[5][2]. Even the smell of the plant is said to drive fleas away[5]. The root used to be burnt upon a fire in order to scent a room[4].

Product or use
Incense
Product or use
Insecticide
Product or use
Parasiticide

Environment

Range
Central and southeastern Europe, including Britain, from Denmark to N. Africa and the Near East.
Habitat
Dry or rocky slopes and cliffs, also in open scrub on calcareous soils[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very 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 spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed, it is worthwhile trying a sowing in situ in the spring or the autumn.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[1]. The basal leaves of this species are often mistaken for the foxglove, Digitalis purpurea[3]. The basal leaves form a rosette that covers the ground for 30cm or more, destroying the grass underneath[4]. All parts of the plant are refreshingly aromatic[4].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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