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Ruta graveolens

Common name:	Rue	Family:	Rutaceae
Author:	L.	Botanical references:	11, 89, 200
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	All parts of this plant are poisonous in large quantities[19]. It should not be used at all by pregnant women since it can induce abortions[165]. The sap contains furanocoumarins, sensitizing the skin to light and causing blistering or dermatitis in sensitive people[200].
Range:	S. Europe.
Habitat:	Rocks, old walls and dry hills, mainly on limestone[89].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	3	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	3

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	R. officinalis[H]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Aruda [E], Bahce Sedefotu [E], Common Rue [L,P,B], Flowering Plants - Montana [S], Godong Mungu [E], Henruda [E], Herb Of Grace [H], Ruda [S,E], Rue [S,E,H], Rue Fetide [E], Rue, Ruda [S], Ruta [E], Sadal [E], Ubat Atal [E], Yun Hsiang Ts'Ao [E],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	graveolens = strong smelling;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Sapindales. Rue family
Other Range Info:	From the Ethnobotany Database
	Britain(Wales); China; Europe; France; Java; Malaya; Mediterranean; Mexico; Norway; Paraguay; South Africa; Spain; Turkey; Us; Us(Amerindian); Venezuela

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen shrub growing to 0.5m by 0.5m . It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 3/5 for edibility and 3/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Cultivated Beds, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, In Walls, In South Wall, In East Wall, In West Wall, Ground Cover.

Edible Uses

Condiment; Leaves; Rutin; Tea.

Leaves - raw or used as a seasoning[2, 7, 19, 21, 27, 89]. It is occasionally eaten in salads[4], but is strongly aromatic and slightly toxic, so should only be used in small quantities[7, 19, 148, 183]. The taste is strong and bitter[238]. The leaves contain rutin, which has a beneficial effect upon the circulatory system[218]. Some caution is advised, see notes on toxicity above.
The leaves can be brewed into a tea[183].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Abortifacient; Anthelmintic; Antidote; Antiinflammatory; Antispasmodic; Carminative; Emetic; Emmenagogue; Expectorant; Haemostatic; Homeopathy; Ophthalmic; Rubefacient; Stimulant; Stomachic.

Rue has a long history of use as a domestic remedy, being especially valued for its strengthening action on the eyes[4]. The plant contains flavonoids (notably rutin) that reduce capillary fragility, which might explain the plants reputation as an eye strengthener[238]. Some caution is advised in its use internally, however, since in large doses it is toxic and it can also cause miscarriages[4, 7, 238].
The whole herb is abortifacient, anthelmintic, antidote, antispasmodic, carminative, emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, haemostatic, ophthalmic, rubefacient, strongly stimulant, mildly stomachic and uterotonic[4, 7, 21, 165, 218]. The tops of fresh shoots are the most active medicinally, they should be gathered before the plant flowers and can be used fresh or dried[4]. An infusion is used in the treatment of hysterical affections, coughs, flatulence etc[4]. The juice of the plant has been used in treating earaches and chewing a leaf or two is said to quickly bring relief from giddiness, nervous headaches, palpitations etc[4].
An alkaloid found in the plant is abortifacient, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic[218].
A homeopathic remedy is obtained from the fresh herb, harvested in early summer shortly before flowering begins[232]. This is used in the treatment of a variety of complaints including eye strain, headache and sprains[232].

We have a more details factsheet on the history and medicinal use of this plant. Email webmaster@pfaf.org for details.

Other Uses

Dye; Essential; Ground cover; Repellent; Strewing.

The growing or the dried plant can be used to repel insects, it is most useful when the plant is grown near roses and raspberries[4, 14, 18, 20, 148]. The dried herb can also be put in the linen cupboard to repel moths[14, 18]. The growing plant is also said to repel cats[20].
A red dye is obtained from the plant[148].
An essential oil is obtained from the leaves and young shoots, it is used in perfumery and as a food flavouring[61]. The plant was formerly used as a strewing herb[148].
Plants can be grown for ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each way[208]. They can be trimmed back in spring to keep them bushy[208].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any soil but is hardier in a poor dry soil[4, 37, 200]. Prefers an open sunny position[7, 182]. Prefers a partially shaded sheltered dry position but succeeds in full sun[1, 4, 200]. Prefers a well-drained or rocky soil[200]. Likes some lime in the soil[11]. Established plants are drought tolerant[190].
Hardy to about -10°c, possibly to lower temperatures when it is grown in a dry soil[187].
Often cultivated as a culinary and medicinal herb, there are some named varieties[187].
The bruised leaves have a pleasant orange-like fragrance[245]. It is one of the most pleasant herbs to inhale[245]. Rue releases its scent in a remarkable way. The essential oil is contained in a cavity immediately beneath the surface of the leaf, above which is a thin layer of cells pierced by a cavity in the middle. The cells swell up and bend inwards, pressing on the essential oil beneath, which is driven to the surface of the leaf and there released[245].
Rue is a poor companion plant for many other species, growing badly with sage, cabbage and sweet basil[14, 18, 20, 201]. It is a good companion for roses and raspberries[201].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200], it can also be sown in early to mid spring in a cold frame[14, 27]. 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.
Cuttings of young shoots in late spring[1].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200]. Very easy[K].
Layering in early summer. Old plants often self-layer[200].

Scent

Leaves: Crushed: The bruised leaves have a pleasant orange-like fragrance[245]. It is one of the most pleasant herbs to inhale[245].

Cultivars

'': No entries have been made for this species as yet.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

Details of Medicinal Uses, Habitats, etc. in M. Grieve A Modern Herbal (1931) [4]
[H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
[V] Images from the Vascular Plant Image Gallery of the Texas A&M Bioinformatics Working Group.
[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[S] Image from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
[S] Image from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[PHARM] Phytochemical Data (common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for ruta graveolens (a possible synonym).

[HP] PhotoFrom Henriette's plant pictures
[HP] PhotoFrom Henriette's plant pictures
[HP] PhotoFrom Henriette's plant pictures

References for the family Rutaceae.

To be included in the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.

[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[14] Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979 ISBN 0-87857-262-7
A good herbal.

[18] Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979
Details of beneficial and antagonistic relationships between neighbouring plants.

[19] Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983 ISBN 0-600-35666-3
Not very comprehensive, but easy reading.

[20] Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978 ISBN 0-88266-064-0
Fairly good.

[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.

[27] Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8
A reprint of a nineteenth century classic, giving details of vegetable varieties. Not really that informative though.

[37] Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878
Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
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.

[89] Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1
A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.

[148] Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. 1970
A pleasant little book about Greek herbs.

[165] Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
An excellent small herbal.

[182] Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[190] Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982 ISBN 0460045512
A good list of drought resistant plants with details on how to grow them.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2
A well produced and very readable book.

[208] Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[232] Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990 ISBN 0-333-55581-3
A concise beginner's guide to the subject. Very readable.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

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Bibliography

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.