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Common Name: Algerian Tea

General Information

Paronychia argentea is a Evergreen Perennial up to 0.10 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. Europe to S.W. Asia.

Habitat

Dry rocky habitats[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.10 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a warm open position in full sun, in a sharply drained sandy or gritty soil. If the soil is too rich the plants leaves will not be so silvery[]. Plants can be grown in a wall[].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c, perhaps more if in a perfectly drained soil[].
Closely related to P. capitata, but this species is more tolerant of winter cold and wet conditions[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion of the leaves is aphrodisiac and diuretic[]. It is also used in the treatment of TB[].

The aerial parts of the plant have been shown to have a moderately strong inhibitory effect on the production of pancreatic lipase, thus helping to lower lipid levels in the body. It could, therefore, have a role to play in the treatment of obesity[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring[].