Ferula

Ferula (from Latin ferula, 'rod') is a genus of about 220 species of flowering plants in the family Apiaceae, native to the Mediterranean region east to central Asia, mostly growing in arid climates. They are herbaceous perennial plants growing to 14 m tall, with stout, hollow, somewhat succulent stems. The leaves are tripinnate or even more finely divided, with a stout basal sheath clasping the stem. The basal sheaths of Ferula oopoda are up to six inches (15 cm) long and form a cup holding about a cup of rainwater,[2] possibly to draw pollinators in an arid land. The flowers are usually yellow, rarely white, produced in large umbels. Many plants of this genus, especially F. communis, are referred to as "giant fennel," although they are not fennel in the strict sense.[3][4]

Ferula foetida

Ferula
Ferula communis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Subfamily: Apioideae
Tribe: Scandiceae
Subtribe: Ferulinae
Genus: Ferula
L.
Synonyms[1]
List
    • Agasulis Raf.
    • Buniotrinia Stapf & Wettst.
    • Dardanis Raf.
    • Diserneston Jaub. & Spach
    • Dorema D.Don
    • Eriosynaphe DC.
    • Euryangium Kauffm.
    • Merwia B.Fedtsch.
    • Narthex Falc.
    • Pinacantha Gilli
    • Polycyrtus Schltdl.
    • Schumannia Kuntze
    • Scorodosma Bunge
    • Soranthus Ledeb.
    • Sumbulus H.Reinsch
    • Talassia Korovin

Selected species

The Roman spice laser or laserpicium probably came from a species of Ferula, either an extinct one or Ferula tingitana, though other identities have been suggested.

Uses

Ferula in Iran
Ferula mushroom in Bingöl, Turkey

The gummy resin of many species of Ferula is used for various purposes:

The Romans called the hollow light rod made from this plant a ferula (compare also fasces, judicial birches). Such rods were used for walking sticks, splints, for stirring boiling liquids, and for corporal punishment.

References

  1. "Ferula Tourn. ex L." Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  2. T.I. Agagmuradov, Badghiz, (1984)p. 187
  3. Altervista Flora Italiana, genere Ferula
  4. Flora of Pakistan, Ferula Linn
  5. Bulfina, Ovidiu. "Discovery! New plant species in Romania". Birdlife International. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  6. Plants for a Future, Ferula assa-foetida L., Asafoetida - Devil's Dung. Hing

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