Practical
Plants

Ruscus aculeatus

Butcher's Broom

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Ruscus genus in the family Ruscaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ruscaceae
Genus
Ruscus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
0.75 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Insects
Flower type
dioecious
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 berries are purgative[20].

Edible uses

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

Young shoots - cooked[1][11][16][17][20][4]. They are harvested in the spring as they grow through the soil and used as an asparagus substitute[19][8]. The taste is pungent and rather bitter[5][8]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[1][3][8].

Product or use
Coffee
Plant part
Stem

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.

Butcher's broom is little used in modern herbalism but, in view of its positive effect upon varicose veins and haemorrhoids, it could be due for a revival[14]. The root is aperient, deobstruent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic and vasoconstrictor[16][19][13]. It has been taken internally in the past in the treatment of jaundice, gout, and kidney and bladder stones, at the present time it is used to treat venous insufficiency and haemorrhoids[13]. It should not be prescribed for patients with hypertension[13]. It is also applied externally in the treatment of haemorrhoids[13]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[16]. The whole plant is also sometimes used[16]. This remedy should not be given to people with high blood pressure[14]. The plant contains saponin glycosides, including ruscogenin and neoruscogenin. These substances are anti-inflammatory and cause the contraction of blood vessels, especially veins[14].

Product or use
Aperient
Product or use
Deobstruent
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Vasoconstrictor

Material uses

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

Mature shoots are bound into bunches and used as scourers or as besoms[16][18][20][4][2][7].

Product or use
Broom
Product or use
Scourer

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Western and southern Europe from Britain to Switzerland, south to the Mediterranean.
Habitat
Outskirts of dry woods and in moist uncultivated ground especially on chalk[19][6][9].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very 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 - sow the seed thinly in early spring in a cold frame in light shade. The seed germinates better if it is given a period of cold stratification. Germination can be rather slow, sometimes taking 12 months or more. Grow the seedlings on in the pot in light shade in the greenhouse for their first growing season, giving occasional liquid feeds to ensure they do not suffer nutrient deficiencies. Prick them out into individual pots in the following spring and grow them on for at least another year in the pots before planting them out in early summer. Be very sure to protect the seedlings from slugs[K]. Division as the plant comes into growth in early spring[9]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Cultivation

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

Tolerant of most soils[4], including chalky and heavy clay soils[12]. Prefers a shady position[1][15], tolerating dense dry shade and bad growing conditions[9], including the drip-line of trees[7]. Dislikes much wetness at the roots[9]. Established plants are drought resistant[9]. A very hardy plant, when fully dormant it can tolerate temperatures down to about -25°c[10]. Plants have a slowly creeping tough rootstock and eventually form large clumps[10]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[12]. Plants are unusual in that the flowers are produced from the middle of the leaf[16]. Although normally dioecious, some hermaphrodite forms are known[12]. One of these is called 'Sparkler'. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  3. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  4. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.

    ↩

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

    ↩

  7. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2

  11. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  14. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  17. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

    ↩

  18. Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-00-635555-2

    ↩

  19. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  20. Ceres. Free for All. Thorsons Publishers 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-7225-0445-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page