Common Name: Mignonette

General Information

Reseda odorata is an annual to perennial plant with stems that can become somewhat woody; it can grow up to 45cm tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. The plant is sometimes cultivated for the essential oil in the flowers, and is grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its scented flowers which are used as cut flowers, lasting for several weeks if kept in a cool place[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

N. Africa - Egypt, Libya

Habitat

A common weed, it also grows amongst rocks[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.45 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera, Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in any well-drained neutral to slightly alkaline soil in a sunny position or in some shade if the summers are long and hot[, ].
The flowers are very fragrant[]. Plants are sometimes cultivated for the essential oil in their flowers[].
A good plant for bees and butterflies[, ], it is also an important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterfly[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The acrid root is diaphoretic, diuretic and laxative[].

The seed is applied externally as a resolvent[].

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the flowers[, ]. Used in perfumery[, ]. 1,200 Kg of flowers yields 350gr absolute[].

A yellow dye is obtained from the plant[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in the spring and only lightly cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. An autumn sowing usually succeeds in areas where winter temperatures do not fall below about -10°c[].