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Ammi majus - L.

Common Name Bishop's Weed, Large bullwort, Queen Anne's Lace, Bishop's Flower
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The root contains 8-methoxypsoralen, this stimulates the production of pigmentation in skin exposed to ultra-violet light, but it can cause side-effects. Use with caution[160]. Skin contact with the sap is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people[218].
Habitats Waste places in Britain[17].
Range C. Europe to W. Asia and N. Africa. A casual in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Ammi majus Bishop


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ammi_majus_Sturm8.jpg
Ammi majus Bishop
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ammi_majus_002.JPG

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Irregular or sprawling, Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Ammi majus is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a medium rate. It is in flower from June to October, and the seeds ripen from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

Seed - used as a condiment[177, 183].

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.


The seed is contraceptive, diuretic and tonic[238]. An infusion is used to calm the digestive system, whilst it is also used in the treatment of asthma and angina[254]. A decoction of the ground-up seed, eaten after intercourse, appears able to prevent implantation of the fertilized ovum in the uterus[238]. This decoction is also used as a gargle in the treatment of toothache[238]. The seed contains furanocoumarins (including bergapten), which stimulate pigment production in skin that is exposed to bright sunlight[238, 254]. The plant is widely cultivated in India for these furanocoumarins which are used in the treatment of vitiligo (piebald skin) and psoriasis[238, 254].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Weather protection

The root is chewed to give protection from strong sunlight. It contains 8-methoxypsoralen which stimulates production of pigment in skin exposed to U.V. light. Caution is advised, however, since it can cause side-effects[160]. Other reports suggest that it is the seeds that are used[238, 254].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Massing, Specimen. Prefers a well-drained soil in a sunny position[238], succeeding in ordinary garden soil. This species is often cultivated for its attractive flowering stems which are often sold in markets[238]. It is cultivated in India as a medicinal herb[238]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Suitable for cut flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to 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 or autumn in situ[238].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Kuwait, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Armenia TROPICAL ASIA: Pakistan EUROPE: Ukraine, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Montenegro, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Ethiopia

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
Aconitum gammiei Perennial0.6 -  LMHSNM01 
Ammi visnagaVisnaga. Khella. Bishop's Weed, ToothpickweedAnnual/Biennial0.8 0-0  LMHSNM151
Lepidogrammitis drymoglossoides Fern0.0 -  LMHSM01 
Persea gammieana Tree15.0 -  LMHSNM002
Trachyspermum ammiAjowan carawayAnnual0.6 -  LMHNM232

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

17

Links / References

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