Dittrichia viscosa 'Sticky Fleabane'

[Ex. El Poblenou, Barcelona, Spain]

Asteraceae: a highly branching perennial to 50cm. Found on dry riverbeds and abandoned fields. One plant can produce many yellow flower heads each with as many as 16 ray florets and 44-disc florets. Blooming from September - November. The leaves are narrow, and pointed at both ends and have teeth along the edges and glandular hairs on the surfaces. This plant is sticky and has a certain smell that most people find unpleasant. A common native throughout the Mediterranean Basin. Introduced and naturalized in a few localities, including Britain.

USES:

It contains an essential oil that has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times, especially in the Levant, as an astringent.

It is an important plant in Catalan tradition, often mentioned in adages and proverbs. One adage says that: "No vos 'nemoreu, amor,de cap fadrina gallarda que és com la flor d'olivarda molt guapa, i dolenta d'olor." [My dear one, don't fall in love with any woman who only has good looks, she is like a false yellowhead flower: beautiful, but full of stench.]

GROWING INFORMATION:

Surface sow seeds, keep moist, warm, and in a bright place. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Grows freely in a sunny position in ordinary garden soil. It is important as food for the caterpillars of certain butterflies and moths, like Iolana iolas.

An important plant for bees, butterflies and moths.

HARVESTED: 2022

APPROX. 40 SEEDS [Limited stock]