Practical
Plants

Thapsia garganica

Drias Plant

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Thapsia
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.2 m
Fertility
self fertile
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.

The resin in the sap can cause skin irritation[2].

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 root is diuretic, emetic and purgative[1][2][4]. A resin is extracted with alcohol from the bark of the root[2]. The plant has been considered specific in treating pain, though caution is advised since it is poisonous to some mammals[2]. The plant is also strongly rubefacient, producing blisters and intense itching[2].

Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Purgative

Material uses

Yields a resin that is used in plasters[4][6][7][8]. No further details are given.

Product or use
Resin

Environment

Range
Europe - Mediterranean.
Habitat
Rocky places, fields and sunny slopes[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[K]. 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. Root cuttings.

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species, it probably requires a well drained light fertile soil in a sunny position. One report says that it is not hardy in Britain requiring greenhouse or half-hardy treatment[1]. We have grown it in the past in Cornwall, it survived 3 winters in a cold greenhouse with us before succumbing to slugs.

References

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-19-217626-9

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

  6. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩

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

    ↩

  8. Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber

    ↩

Edit this page