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Thapsia garganica - L.

Common Name Drias Plant
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards The resin in the sap can cause skin irritation[4].
Habitats Rocky places, fields and sunny slopes[45].
Range Europe - Mediterranean.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Thapsia garganica Drias Plant


Thapsia garganica Drias Plant

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Thapsia garganica is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

T. decussata.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Diuretic  Purgative

The root is diuretic, emetic and purgative[1, 4, 46]. A resin is extracted with alcohol from the bark of the root[4]. The plant has been considered specific in treating pain, though caution is advised since it is poisonous to some mammals[4]. The plant is also strongly rubefacient, producing blisters and intense itching[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Resin

Yields a resin that is used in plasters[46, 57, 61, 64]. No further details are given.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

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   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey (west) EUROPE: Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Spain (incl. Baleares), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria (north), Libya (northwest), Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

150

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

maksim gur   Wed Jul 23 14:20:26 2003

this plant is the source of thapsigargin.

Link: thapsigargin fact sheet

arfouni   Sat Dec 18 13:29:59 2004

en algerie on utilise cette plante pour faire certains types de couscous elle est donc utilise en cuisine donc legerement comestible

Dorian Marban   Mon Mar 14 09:30:58 2005

We are a small company and we sell Thapsia Garganica L. that you can extract thapsigargin

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Subject : Thapsia garganica  
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