Practical
Plants

Ruta montana

Mountain Rue

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Ruta genus in the family Rutaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rutaceae
Genus
Ruta
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
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.

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species the following notes apply to at least one other member of the genus so some caution is advised. All parts of this plant are poisonous in large quantities[6]. It should not be used at all by pregnant women since it can induce abortions[3]. The sap contains furanocoumarins, sensitizing the skin to light and causing blistering or dermatitis in sensitive people[7].

Edible uses

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

The leaves are used as a condiment[4][5].

Product or use
Condiment

Material uses

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

An essential oil from the leaves is used in perfumery and as a food flavouring.

Product or use
Essential

Environment

Range
S.E. Europe to W. Asia and N. Africa.
Habitat
Dry rocky places[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
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 - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[7], it can also be sown in early to mid spring in a cold frame[2][8]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of young shoots in late spring[1]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[7]. Very easy[K]. Layering in early summer. Old plants often self-layer[7].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in any good open soil[1]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩

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

    ↩

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

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

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  6. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩

  9. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

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