Common Name:

General Information

Ferula narthex is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a taproot; the robust stem can grow up to 200cm tall[].

The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. This species is a minor commercial source of the medicinal and culinary gum asafoetida, which is mainly obtained from Ferula assa-foetida[]. The plant is collected on a large scale in Pakistan and sold in markets. It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental in gardens.
Ferula narthex is harvested from the wild for its medicinal properties and it has been reported to have suffered substantial population declines in Chitral, Pakistan as a result of this exploitation. However, the species is reported to be a common species in Afghanistan and, given its widespread distribution, it is suspected that the global population is large. On a global scale, therefore, the plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Central Asia - Tadzhikistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and northwest India

Habitat

Grassy slopes; at elevations around 900 - 3,070 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Ferula narthex is not hardy in the colder areas of the temperate zone, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[].
Succeeds in most soils[]. Requires a deep fertile soil in a sunny position[].
The whole plant is very strong-smelling[].
Plants have a long taproot and are intolerant of root disturbance[]. They should be planted into their final positions as soon as possible.

Edible Uses

Leaves and young shoots[, ]. Used as a pot-herb[].

The gum obtained from the roots is used as a condiment[, ].

Medicinal

The gum resin obtained from the root is anthelmintic, antispasmodic, expectorant and nervine[]. It is used in the treatment of asthma, whooping cough, flatulent colic, and in pneumonia and bronchitis in children[].

The leaves are carminative and diaphoretic[].

The plant has recently been investigated as a potential contraceptive[].

Other Uses

The root is a source of the gum 'asafoetida'[, , ], it is used as a condiment and as a medicine. It is obtained by incision of the roots[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as the seed is ripe in a greenhouse in autumn[]. Otherwise sow in mid spring in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Plant them out into their permanent positions whilst still small because the plants dislike root disturbance[]. If necessary, give the plants a protective mulch for their first winter outdoors.
Division in autumn. This may be inadvisable due to the plants dislike of root disturbance.