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Trachyspermum ammi

an annual member of the Trachyspermum genus in the family Umbelliferae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Trachyspermum ammi has 1 edible uses listed
Trachyspermum ammi has 1 material uses listed
Trachyspermum ammi has 9 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

The pungently aromatic fruits are about 2cm long[1]. They are used as a flavouring in savoury dishes, including curries, pulses, breads and pastry snacks[1].

Unknown part

Condiment

Material uses

The seeds are rich in essential oil, 30 - 35% of which is thymol[2], which is more commonly found in Thymus species[1]. The essential oil is added to epoxy derivatives[1].

Unknown part

Essential

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The seed, and especially the essential oil in the seed, is strongly antiseptic, antispasmodic, aromatic, bitter, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant and tonic[1]. It is used internally in the treatment of colds, coughs, influenza, asthma, diarrhoea, cholera, colic, indigestion, wind, oedema, arthritis and rheumatism[1][2]. The seed is harvested when fully ripe and either distilled for the essential oil or dried for later use[1].

The seed contains about 4 - 6% essential oil, of which 45 - 55% is the strongly antiseptic essential oil 'thymol'[2]. The essential oil is also added to cough medicines[1].

The root is carminative and diuretic[2].

Unknown part

Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Aromatic
Bitter
Diaphoretic
Digestive
Diuretic
Expectorant
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species, but suggest that you try sowing the seed in situ in April. If this is not successful, then an earlier sowing in the greenhouse in March, planting out after the last expected frosts might be better[K]. It is quite possible that this species will not like to be transplanted, so either sow 4 - 5 seeds per pot, or sow in a tray and transplant to individual pots as soon as the seedlings are big enough to handle[K].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Trachyspermum ammi. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a moist soil in a sunny position[1].

This species is not frost tolerant[1], but it might be possible to grow it outdoors in Britain as a spring sown annual[K].

The plant is extensively cultivated as a spice in S. W. Asia.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Trachyspermum ammi. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Trachyspermum ammi.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Trachyspermum ammi
Genus
Trachyspermum
Family
Umbelliferae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1]
Medicinal uses
[1][2]
Material uses & Functions
[2][1]
Botanic
[3]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
  • Unknown part (Condiment)
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Essential)
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Antiseptic)
  • Unknown part (Antispasmodic)
  • Unknown part (Aromatic)
  • Unknown part (Bitter)
  • Unknown part (Diaphoretic)
  • Unknown part (Digestive)
  • Unknown part (Diuretic)
  • Unknown part (Expectorant)
  • Unknown part (Tonic)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.6 x 0.4 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.001.011.021.031.041.051.061.071.081.091.101.111.12 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.5 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)
    3. ? Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)


    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Trachyspermum_ammi&oldid=81323"
    Facts about "Trachyspermum ammi"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyUmbelliferae +
    Belongs to genusTrachyspermum +
    Has binomial nameTrachyspermum ammi +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useCondiment +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useEssential +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has mature width0.4 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiseptic +, Antispasmodic +, Aromatic +, Bitter +, Diaphoretic +, Digestive +, Diuretic +, Expectorant + and Tonic +
    Has salinity tolerance
    Has search nametrachyspermum ammi +
    Has seed requiring scarification
    Has seed requiring stratification
    Has seed with dormancy depth
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameTrachyspermum ammi +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migrated No +
    PFAF edible use notes migrated No +
    PFAF material use notes migrated No +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migrated No +
    PFAF propagation notes migrated No +
    PFAF toxicity notes migrated Yes +
    Tolerates air pollution
    Tolerates maritime exposure
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soil
    Tolerates wind
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +