Arnebia densiflora

Small clump-forming from a robust, somewhat woody rootstock with erect, hispid, unbranched stems 25-40cm high. Basal leaves linear elliptic to narrowly lanceolate, 10-15cm long with stalks to 4cm; stem leaves smaller and sessile, velvety-hairy. Flowers are yellow, 3.5-4.5 cm long by 1.2-1.6 cm across densely planted on the ends of stems and branches. It flowers from early to late summer. All aerial parts are pubescent.[1]

Arnebia densiflora prefers mountain areas and places with dry and sunny rocky soils. It is native to Greece and Turkey on volcanic or limestone slopes and cliffs at 750-2600m.[1]

Arnebia densiflora has been investigated for its wound healing abilities.[2]

Arnebia densiflora is one of the five species of Boraginaceae family grown in Turkey.[2] Several species of Boraginaceous plants are used as folk medicine in Turkey and eastern Mediterranean countries.[2]

The pigmented root of Arnebia densiflora, known locally as ‘Eyilik,’ is added to olive oil and applied on open wounds and cuts in Anatolia.[2]

In Malatya, roots of Arnebia densiflora are dipped in butter.[2] After removing the root pieces the butter is mixed with beeswax to prepare an ointment for open wounds.[2] Roots of Arnebia densiflora are also used as a natural-dye to color Anatolian carpets.[2]

The medicinal effect might have to do with the high naphthoquinone content in the roots barks.[2]

Arnebia densiflora was first described by Carl Friedrich von Ledebour.[3]

It was first published in Flora Rossica Enumeratio sive Plantarum in Totivs Imperii Rossici Provinciis europaeis, Asiaticis, et americanis Hucusque Observatarum 3 (1.8): 140. 1847 [1]

Arnebia : generic name derived from the Arabic name shajaret el arneb .

densiflora : Latin epithet that means "dense of flowers".[4]

• Lithospermum densiflorum Ledeb.
• Macrotomia cephalotes (A. DC.) Boiss.
• Macrotomia densiflora (Ledeb.) McBride[5]