Opopanax chironium
Opopanax
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Umbelliferae
- Genus
- Opopanax
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1.8 m
- Fertility
- self fertile
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
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.
The gum (an oleo resin according to one report) that is obtained from the base of the stems is antispasmodic and deobstruent[3]. It is nowadays considered to be a medium of feeble powers though it was at one time widely used in the treatment of menstrual disorders, asthma, chronic visceral afflictions etc[3].
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Deobstruent
Material uses
A gum is obtained through incisions in the roots at the base of the stems[3]. It is used in perfumery[1][5][7] and also in medicines[2]. The gum is inflammable, burning brightly[3].
- Product or use
- Gum
Environment
- Range
- S. Europe.
- Habitat
- Stony ground, olive groves, vineyards etc[4].
- 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
Seed - sow spring in situ. If seed is in short supply then it is best to sow it in a pot in the greenhouse in early spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer.
Cultivation
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any good garden soil[1]. It can tolerate considerable neglect, some plants we were growing were left to fend for themselves in very dense weed growth and survived well for 4 years before being moved to another site[K]. We are not sure how hardy this plant is, but the foliage has withstood short periods of temperatures down to -6°c with us[K]. A warm climate is necessary in order to produce good quality gum[3]. Plants seem to be very tolerant of root disturbance, specimens that had been growing for 4 years in one site grew away very well when transplanted as they came into growth in late autumn[K].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-19-217626-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202