If you would like to support this site, please consider Donating.
Useful Temperate Plants

Thapsia garganica

L.

Apiaceae


The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.

+ Synonyms

Common Name: Drias Plant

No Image.

General Information

Thapsia garganica is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.20 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

The resin in the sap can cause skin irritation[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
]. Taken internally, it can cause vomiting, violent diarrhoea, inflammation of the digestive tract, nervous disorders and death[
1314
Title
Toxic effect of some medicinal plants used in Moroccan traditional medicine
Publication
Moroccan J. Biol. 2-3 (2006) 21-30
Author
Mohamed Bnouham; Fatima Zahra Merhfour; Mostafa Elachoui; Ab
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Botanical References

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 Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
50
Title
Flora Europaea
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1964
ISBN
-
Description
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for Europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.

Range

Europe - Mediterranean.

Habitat

Rocky places, fields and sunny slopes[
45
Title
Flowers of Greece and the Balkans.
Publication
 
Author
Polunin. O.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1980
ISBN
0-19-217626-9
Description
A good pocket flora, it also lists quite a few plant uses.
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height1.20 m
PollinatorsInsects
Self-fertileYes
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species, it probably requires a well drained light fertile soil in a sunny position.
One report says that it is not hardy in Britain requiring greenhouse or half-hardy treatment[
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]).
]. We have grown it in the past in Cornwall, it survived 3 winters in a cold greenhouse with us before succumbing to slugs.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root is diuretic, emetic and purgative[
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]).
,
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
,
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, bronchitis and feminine sterility[
1314
Title
Toxic effect of some medicinal plants used in Moroccan traditional medicine
Publication
Moroccan J. Biol. 2-3 (2006) 21-30
Author
Mohamed Bnouham; Fatima Zahra Merhfour; Mostafa Elachoui; Ab
Publisher
 
Year
2006
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. The plant has been considered specific in treating pain, though caution is advised since it is poisonous to some mammals[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
]. The plant is also strongly rubefacient, producing blisters and intense itching[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
].
A resin is extracted with alcohol from the bark of the root[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
].

The plant should be used with caution since it can be poisonous. See notes above on toxicity.

Other Uses

Yields a resin that is used in plasters[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
57
Title
Plants for Man.
Publication
 
Author
Schery. R. W.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Fairly readable but not very comprehensive. Deals with plants from around the world.
,
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
64
Title
Vegetable Gums and Resins.
Publication
 
Author
Howes. F. N.
Publisher
Faber
Year
 
ISBN
81-88818-17-8
Description
A very good book dealing with the subject in a readable way.
]. No further details are given.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Root cuttings.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-11-24. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Thapsia+garganica>

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.