Herb latin name: Atractylis gummifera


Family: Compositae



Edible parts of Atractylis gummifera:

A gum obtained from the plant is used for chewing.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
60 cm
(2 feet)

Habitat of the herb:

Field verges and roadsides.

Other uses of Atractylis gummifera:

A gum obtained from the plant is used as an adulteration for mastic. Mastic (obtained from Pistacia lentiscus) is used in high grade varnishes, as a fixative in perfumes, tooth pastes, glue (especially for false beards), embalming, a temporary filling for teeth etc. It is used to seal the edges of microscope mounts and is also chewed to preserve the teeth and gums.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse or cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame until they are planted out in early summer. Alternatively, the seed can be sown in situ in mid to late spring.

Cultivation of Atractylis gummifera:

Field verges and roadsides.

Medicinal use of the herb:

None known

Known hazards of Atractylis gummifera:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.