Common Name:

General Information

Onosma sericea is a perennial plant with stems that can become more or less woody, especially near the base. The unbranched, ascending stems are around 20 - 45cm long[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Turkey, Lebanon, Palestine, Irag, Iran, Caucasus

Habitat

Stony slopes in the middle mountain belt of oak forests, sometimes in cultivated areas such as vineyards; at elevations from 500 - 1,900 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.00 m

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally require a sunny position in a well-drained soil[, ]. Prefers a deep rather rich sandy loam[]. Tolerates hot dry conditions and also drought once it is established, but dislikes moist climates at any time of the year[, ]. Species in this genus tend to grow well in crevices in a rock garden or on a wall[, ].

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[].

The red bark of the root is used to make an ointment to treat wounds[]. The bark is cooked in a pan with butter and applied topically as an ointment[].

Other Uses

None known

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.