Practical
Plants

Onosma echioides

a perennial member of the Onosma genus in the family Boraginaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Onosma
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

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 bristly stems and leaves can cause a good deal of irritation to the skin[5].

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 leaves are alterative[6]. They are made into a powder and given to children as a purgative[6]. The flowers are used as a cordial and stimulant in the treatment of rheumatism and palpitations of the heart[6]. The root is bruised and used as an external application to skin eruptions[6].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Stimulant

Material uses

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

A red dye is obtained from the root. It is an alkanna substitute[7][8].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
S. Europe to N. Africa.
Habitat
Limestone slopes and rocks to 1600 metres[2]. Crevices in rocks and cliffs[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in early summer. Cuttings in a frame in the summer. Shade them for the first 10 - 12 days[1].

Cultivation

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

Requires a well-drained soil in full sun[1][2]. Prefers a deep rather rich sandy loam[1]. Best grown in a crevice in a rock garden or on a wall[1][2]. Tolerates hot dry conditions and also drought once it is established, but disliking winter wet[3]. Plants also dislike wet summers[4]. Hardy to about -15°c[2]. There is some confusion over this species. It is given as a part of O. frutescens in some reports but [4] gives it specific status. A very ornamental plant[1].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  2. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  5. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  9. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

    ↩

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