Pentanema squarrosum explained

Pentanema squarrosum, known as ploughman's-spikenard, is a species of plant in the family Asteraceae found in Europe, North Africa, and the Near East.[1] [2]

It is a tall, hairy plant (to 1.2 m) that grows on calcareous, low-nutrient, well-drained soils. It is a short lived perennial plant. Before flowering, the basal rosette of leaves resembles those of foxgloves. It flowers after mid-summer in Europe, from July to September. When in flower, the plant has many small flowerheads grouped together into a flat-topped structure that resembles a single flowerhead (pseudanthium). The individual flowerheads have prominent yellow disc florets and no (or inconspicuous) ray florets.[3]

The leaves are burned and used as an insecticide and parasiticide, especially against fleas. Even the smell of the plant is flea repellent. When the root is burned, it becomes a useful room scent (Used this way in Turkey).[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pentanema squarrosum (L.) D.Gut.Larr., Santos-Vicente, Anderb., E.Rico & M.M.Mart.Ort. Plants of the World Online Kew Science . 2022-07-03 . Plants of the World Online . en.
  2. http://luirig.altervista.org/flora/taxa/index1.php?scientific-name=inula+conyzae Altervista Flora Italiana, Inula conyzae (Griess.) DC.
  3. Web site: Ploughman's-spikenard - Inula conyzae . NatureSpot . 7 August 2022.
  4. Web site: Doğan . Hüseyin . Pentanema squarrosum (Gölge andızotu) . Kocaeli Bitkileri . tr . 16 September 2019.