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Useful Temperate Plants

Onosma bracteata

Wall.

Boraginaceae

+ Synonyms

Onosma macrocephala D.Don

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Onosma bracteatum is a herbaceous perennial plant with stout, erect stems; it can grow up to 40cm tall[
1503
Title
Indian Medicinal Planta
Publication
 
Author
Kirkitar K.R.; Basu B.D. & Indian Civil Service
Publisher
Sudhindra Nath Basu, BahadurGanj; India
Year
1918
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

51
Title
Flowers of the Himalayas.
Publication
 
Author
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Publisher
Oxford Universtiy Press
Year
1984
ISBN
-
Description
A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.

Range

E. Asia - western Himalayas from Uttar Pradesh to central Nepal and southern Tibet.

Habitat

Rocky slopes in dry areas; at elevations from 3,300 - 5,000 metres[
51
Title
Flowers of the Himalayas.
Publication
 
Author
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Publisher
Oxford Universtiy Press
Year
1984
ISBN
-
Description
A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *
HabitPerennial
Height0.40 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


Species in this genus generally require a sunny position in a well-drained soil[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
187
Title
Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2.
Publication
 
Author
Phillips. R. & Rix. M.
Publisher
Pan Books
Year
1991
ISBN
0-330-30936-9
Description
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
]. Prefers a deep rather rich sandy loam[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
]. Tolerates hot dry conditions and also drought once it is established, but dislikes moist climates at any time of the year[
190
Title
The Dry Garden.
Publication
 
Author
Chatto. B.
Publisher
Dent
Year
1982
ISBN
0460045512
Description
A good list of drought resistant plants with details on how to grow them.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Species in this genus tend to grow well in crevices in a rock garden or on a wall[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
187
Title
Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2.
Publication
 
Author
Phillips. R. & Rix. M.
Publisher
Pan Books
Year
1991
ISBN
0-330-30936-9
Description
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Species in the genus Onosma L. generally have been shown to contain several medically-active compounds including alkannin and shikonin, flavonoids, ferulic and vanillic acids. A study has shown that these phytochemicals have significant anti-inflammatory and anti-pain activity and that they are also ikely to be responsible for the wound healing and antibacterial actions[
2026
Title
Onosma L.: A review of phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology
Publication
Pharmacognosy Reviews, July-December 2013, Vol 7, Issue 14, pp140-151
Author
Kumar N,. Kumar R. & Kishore K.
Website
http://10.4103/0973-7847.120513
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

The leaves, stems and flowers are alterative, astringent, cardiac tonic, demulcent, diuretic, refrigerant and tonic[
240
Title
Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
Publication
 
Author
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
Publisher
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
Year
1986
ISBN
-
Description
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
,
1503
Title
Indian Medicinal Planta
Publication
 
Author
Kirkitar K.R.; Basu B.D. & Indian Civil Service
Publisher
Sudhindra Nath Basu, BahadurGanj; India
Year
1918
ISBN
 
Description
 
,
2022
Title
Indian Medicinal Plants; An Illustrated Dictionary
Publication
 
Author
Khare C.P. (Ed.)
Publisher
Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg
Year
2007
ISBN
978-0-387-70637-5
Description
 
]. The plant is said to be of help in building the body’s immune resistance and to also help with regulation of urine output[
2026
Title
Onosma L.: A review of phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology
Publication
Pharmacognosy Reviews, July-December 2013, Vol 7, Issue 14, pp140-151
Author
Kumar N,. Kumar R. & Kishore K.
Website
http://10.4103/0973-7847.120513
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. The plant is also considered to be useful in relieving excessive thirst and restlessness in febrile excitement, and also to be useful in relieving functional palpitation of the heart, irritation of the bladder and stomach, and strangury[
240
Title
Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
Publication
 
Author
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
Publisher
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
Year
1986
ISBN
-
Description
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
,
1503
Title
Indian Medicinal Planta
Publication
 
Author
Kirkitar K.R.; Basu B.D. & Indian Civil Service
Publisher
Sudhindra Nath Basu, BahadurGanj; India
Year
1918
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. A decoction is used in the treatment of rheumatism, syphilis, and leprosy[
240
Title
Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
Publication
 
Author
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
Publisher
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
Year
1986
ISBN
-
Description
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
,
1503
Title
Indian Medicinal Planta
Publication
 
Author
Kirkitar K.R.; Basu B.D. & Indian Civil Service
Publisher
Sudhindra Nath Basu, BahadurGanj; India
Year
1918
ISBN
 
Description
 
,
2026
Title
Onosma L.: A review of phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology
Publication
Pharmacognosy Reviews, July-December 2013, Vol 7, Issue 14, pp140-151
Author
Kumar N,. Kumar R. & Kishore K.
Website
http://10.4103/0973-7847.120513
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. It is used in the treatment of colds, coughs, bronchial affections; insomnia, depression, mental exhaustion; constipation, misperistalsis, jaundice; dysuria, urethral discharges; fevers[
2022
Title
Indian Medicinal Plants; An Illustrated Dictionary
Publication
 
Author
Khare C.P. (Ed.)
Publisher
Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg
Year
2007
ISBN
978-0-387-70637-5
Description
 
].
The plant is applied topically in the treatment of wounds and skin diseases[
2026
Title
Onosma L.: A review of phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology
Publication
Pharmacognosy Reviews, July-December 2013, Vol 7, Issue 14, pp140-151
Author
Kumar N,. Kumar R. & Kishore K.
Website
http://10.4103/0973-7847.120513
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

The hydro-alcoholic extract of this plant is used in the treatment of asthma because it has been shown to stabilize the mast cell activity, and showed a significant role in the marked reduction of bronchial hyper-responsiveness[
2026
Title
Onosma L.: A review of phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology
Publication
Pharmacognosy Reviews, July-December 2013, Vol 7, Issue 14, pp140-151
Author
Kumar N,. Kumar R. & Kishore K.
Website
http://10.4103/0973-7847.120513
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Other Uses

A report says that the plant is used in technology, but it gives no more information[
145
Title
Forest Flora of Srinagar.
Publication
 
Author
Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1976
ISBN
-
Description
A good flora of the western Himalayas but poorly illustrated. Some information on plant uses.
]. It is quite likely that this refers to the use of the root as a source of a red dye[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in early summer.
Cuttings in a frame in the summer. Shade them for the first 10 - 12 days[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-12-07. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Onosma+bracteata>

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