Common Name:

General Information

Ferula rigidula is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a taproot; the stem can be 70 - 120cm tall[].
This species is a minor commercial source of the medicinal and culinary gum asafoetida, which is mainly obtained from Ferula assa-foetida[]

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Turkey, Caucasus, Iran

Habitat

Rocky places; at elevations from 850 - 2,370 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.90 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Ferula rigidula
Ferula species generally can succeed in most soils[], though they prefer a deep, fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position[].
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

The leaves have been used as a food and flavouring[].

The plant is a source of the culinary gum 'asafoetida'. See Ferula assa-foetida for details of uses[].

Medicinal

The aerial parts of the plant are taken internally and used as a poultice in the treatment of diabetes and high levels of cholesterol in the blood[, ].

The plant is a source of the medicinal gum 'asafoetida'. See Ferula assa-foetida for details of uses[].

Other Uses

None known

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.