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Common Name: Wallflower

General Information

Erysimum cheiri is a Evergreen Perennial up to 0.50 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

The plant is said to be poisonous if used in large quantities[].

Botanical References

Range

S. Europe. Naturalized in lowland Britain[].

Habitat

Walls, cliffs and rocks, often near the sea in Britain[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a position in full sun in a circumneutral soil[, , ]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soils[], tolerating poor and limey soils[]. Plants are liable to die out if the soil is too rich[].
Wallflowers are perennial, though they are usually grown as biennials in the flower garden for spring and early summer bedding[]. There are some named varieties[]. A very ornamental plant[], it is liable to die out after flowering, probably because it exhausts itself by producing so many flowers. Plants require a very well-drained dry soil if they are to survive a second winter[]. They grow well on dry stone walls[] and also on old mortared walls where they usually self-sow[].
A good butterfly and moth plant[, ].
A good companion for apple trees[, , ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Wallflower was formerly used mainly as a diuretic and emmenagogue but recent research has shown that it is more valuable for its effect on the heart[]. In small doses it is a cardiotonic, supporting a failing heart in a similar manner to foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)[]. In more than small doses, however, it is toxic and so is seldom used in herbal medicine[].
The flowers and stems are antirheumatic, antispasmodic, cardiotonic, emmenagogue, nervine, purgative and resolvent[, , , , ]. They are used in the treatment of impotence and paralysis[]. The essential oil is normally used[]. This should be used with caution because large doses are toxic[].
The plant contains the chemical compound cheiranthin which has a stronger cardiotonic action than digitalis (obtained from Digitalis species). If taken in large doses this is very poisonous and so this plant should not be used medicinally without expert supervision[].
The seeds are aphrodisiac, diuretic, expectorant, stomachic and tonic[]. They are used in the treatment of dry bronchitis, fevers and injuries to the eyes[].

Other Uses

The flowers contain 0.06% essential oil[]. It has a pleasing aroma if diluted and is used in perfumery[, , , ].
The seed contains about 20% fixed oil[], but no details of any uses are given[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in an outdoor seedbed. Germination should take place within 3 weeks. Plant the seedlings into their permanent positions when they are large enough to handle.
If seed is in short supply, it can be sown in spring in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.