Peucedanum ostruthium (L) Kock Masterwort
NOMENCLATURE
Peucedanum : from Latin. peucedonoides, from Greek, __________ resembling hairy string.
ostrithium : from latin, ostreatus rough, hard. Masterwort a master healing plant.
PREVIOUS NAMES : Imperatoria ostrithium (L).
OTHER NAMES :the imperatoria. Fellon grass, (Yks, Lakes,
Cumb, Rox). Fellonwort, fellonwood, (Cumb).
BSBI Picture Link to Peucedanum ostruthium
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTIONS
TYPE : erect or<downy perennial 30-400cm
STEMS: hollow, ridges, striate purplish below.
UMBELS :: 5-10cm diameter. Rays 30-60.
LEAVES : shiny bright green. 1-2 ternate. Lower 30-34 cm, segments 4-10cm, few,
lanceolate to ovate, unequal at base, irregularly biserrate, teeth with long cartilaginous
point, the middle lobes 3-fid lateral 2-fid. The margins and veins cilioate beneath. Petiole
long, inflated sheathing base. Upper leaves small, 4 with pinnatifid lobes, petiole inflated
sheathing. Cotyledons contracted into a petiole.
BRACTS : 0 (2) Bracteoles few, linear
FLOWERS : white/pinkish.Calyx teeth small or 0. Petals, long stylopodium. Fl. 3-4 or 9-10.
FRUIT : 3.5-5mm suborbicular dorsally compressed, smooth. Commisure broad.
Mericarps prominent dorsal ridges, winged lateral ridges, wings as wide as mericarps, flat,
closely appressed, thin. Carpophore present. Vittae solitary. Pedicels > than fruit, smooth.
Styles 2 x as stylopodium, recurved, slender. Stigma capitate. 2n=22.
HABITAT: moist meadows, river banks grassy places, ditches.
DISTRIBUTION : introduced for cultivation, now naturalised N. England, Scotland. Local.
Mountains of C. & S. Europe. Introduced in many temperate countries.
MEDICINAL USES
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS : essential oil, bitter principles, tannin, resin, fatty oil, hesperidin.
EFFECT : digestant, expectorant, gastric, sedative, diuretic.
PARTS : rhizome. Cut, shred and dry
APPLICATION : flatulence, indigestion, lack of appetite, bronchial catarrh decoction
1-2 tspn per cup boil, simmer, stand 10 min 2-4 : times day. Contained in proprietary
brands, homeopathy, herbal liquors.
HISTORICAL MEDICINAL USES
Gerard : "Rootes, leaves stamped dissolve and cure all pestilentiall carbuncles and botches & such."
Culpepper : "Decoction in wine for cold rheums, distillation of lungs, shortness of breath, dropsy, cramp, falling sickness, kidney, uterine troubles, gout cold poisons."
Stimulant, antispasmodic, carminative. Used in asthma, dyspepsia, menstrual complaints.
EXTERNAL LINKS FOR Peucedanum ostruthium
These links to trusted websites and institutions may provide in depth or additional information regards cultivation, chemistry, edibility, images etc. for the species. Links last updated Aug 2012.
Wikipedia (UK) Wikipedia (GER) Plants For a Future (UK)
Bio Info (UK) National Center for Biotechnology Info (USA)
Bio Cosmetic (LAT)
'Online Guide To Umbelliferae Of The British Isles' Compiled By J.M.Burton 2002