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Common Name: Butcher's Broom

General Information

Ruscus aculeatus is a

Known Hazards

The berries are purgative[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western and southern Europe from Britain to Switzerland, south to the Mediterranean.

Habitat

Outskirts of dry woods and in moist uncultivated ground especially on chalk[, , ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.75 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No

Cultivation Details

Tolerant of most soils[], including chalky and heavy clay soils[]. Prefers a shady position[, ], tolerating dense dry shade and bad growing conditions[], including the drip-line of trees[]. Dislikes much wetness at the roots[]. Established plants are drought resistant[].
A very hardy plant, when fully dormant it can tolerate temperatures down to about -25°c[].
Plants have a slowly creeping tough rootstock and eventually form large clumps[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Plants are unusual in that the flowers are produced from the middle of the leaf[]. Although normally dioecious, some hermaphrodite forms are known[]. One of these is called 'Sparkler'. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked[, , , , , ]. They are harvested in the spring as they grow through the soil and used as an asparagus substitute[, ]. The taste is pungent and rather bitter[, ].
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[, , ].

Medicinal

Butcher's broom is little used in modern herbalism but, in view of its positive effect upon varicose veins and haemorrhoids, it could be due for a revival[].
The root is aperient, deobstruent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic and vasoconstrictor[, , ]. It has been taken internally in the past in the treatment of jaundice, gout, and kidney and bladder stones, at the present time it is used to treat venous insufficiency and haemorrhoids[]. It should not be prescribed for patients with hypertension[]. It is also applied externally in the treatment of haemorrhoids[]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[]. The whole plant is also sometimes used[]. This remedy should not be given to people with high blood pressure[].
The plant contains saponin glycosides, including ruscogenin and neoruscogenin. These substances are anti-inflammatory and cause the contraction of blood vessels, especially veins[].

Other Uses

Mature shoots are bound into bunches and used as scourers or as besoms[, , , , , ].

Propagation

Seed - sow the seed thinly in early spring in a cold frame in light shade. The seed germinates better if it is given a period of cold stratification. Germination can be rather slow, sometimes taking 12 months or more. Grow the seedlings on in the pot in light shade in the greenhouse for their first growing season, giving occasional liquid feeds to ensure they do not suffer nutrient deficiencies. Prick them out into individual pots in the following spring and grow them on for at least another year in the pots before planting them out in early summer. Be very sure to protect the seedlings from slugs[].
Division as the plant comes into growth in early spring[]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.