DOCSLIB.ORG

Morphological Description Geographical

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Morphological Description Geographical Ferula communis L. Ferula communis L. Umbelliferae Ferula brevifolia Hoff. & Link ; Ferula nodiflora L.; Ferula linkii Webb & Berthel. Arabic: Kelkh, kelkha, keshbour, besbas harami. - - - Berber: Aboubal, aouli, ouffal. English: Giant fennel, african ammoniacum French: Grande férule, férule commune, faux fenouil. the leaf-lobes of the genuina variety. It flowers from May to July. Compiled by: Dr. Driss Lamnauer I Geographical distribution Edited by: Prof. Kamal Batanouny Local: In Morocco, the two varieties identified are distributed differently; the brevifolia variety is found I Morphological description mostly along the Atlantic coasts (from Larache to Ferula communis or giant fennel: giant is not an Ifni), whereas the genuina variety is located inside exaggeration since this spectacular architectural the country and up until the Mediterranean coast. plant is known to grow to 3 metres. Regional: Ferula communis is wide spread in The lower leaves are 3 to 4 pinnates, triangular, North Africa, mostly in Morocco and Algeria, but varied in size, soft, glabrous, green on both sides not found in Egypt. and usually have a conspicuous sheathing base. The Global: Ferula communis is an umbelliferous plant lamina is finely divided into linear and filiform of the Mediterranean, where it has always marked lobes. The latter have no distinct revolute margin the landscape. and are up to 50 mm. long, but no more than 1 mm. wide. The upper fertile leaves of the inflores- I Ecology cence are progressively reduced to a conspicuous Ferula communis grows in forest glades and in the sheathing base. The bracts are absent and the pasture of plains and mountains up to an altitude of 2 bracteoles are few or absent. 200 m. It has an enormous root system and is The stem is very robust, wide (3-7 cm. in diameter), drought-resistant. full, finely striated and can grow to 2 to 3 metres The perennial seeds germinate very irregularly over a high. long period. Temperatures of less than +5°C are very The terminal fertile umbel is large and composed of effective. Seed trays should not be discarded prema- 20 to 40 rays. turely. Constant moisture must be maintained. Do not The flower is bright yellow. The fruit (mericap) is leave in direct sunlight. Germination to transplanting elliptical or oblong-elliptical, strongly compressed takes 4 to 8 weeks. Reproduction is by root and seeds. dorsally; the length is varied between 7 and 15 mm. I Status Ferula communis has a well-developed, strong root Not an IUCN threatened species. system. Slight differences exist between the two varieties I Part used reported in Morocco. The leaves of the brevifolia The resin gum or fessoukh, unopened inflorescence variety are light green and markedly smaller than and the root. A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa 139 Ferula communis L. is a source of resin gum, obtained has a similar qualitative composition, however by incision of the root, and used in traditional medi- differs quantitatively: aristolene (70.0 %) and cine for a variety of ailments. It was also reported to myrcene (9.3 %) being the major components. The be toxic in man and especially in livestock. occurrence of sesquiterpenes and the lack of The fessoukh or the resin gum of Ferula communis monoterpenes characterized the root oil. is a specifically Moroccan product, known in Arabic countries and up to India under this name. I Pharmacological action and Moroccan fessoukh is appreciated for certain uses toxicity in countries where Ferula communis apparently Chemical composition studies of Ferula communis grows. The demand for the fessoukh is the main showed that it contains 4-hydroxycoumarin deriva- cause of the intense exploitation of the plant. In tives, some of which were demonstrated to have addition the pre-blossom inflorescences of Ferula hypothrombonic action. 4-hydroxycoumarin antico- communis have culinary uses. agulants are known, on the other hand, to be used for the treatment and management of thromboem- I Constituents bolic disease in humans. Coumarins and daucane sesquiterpenes were identi- Man and all animal species are sensitive to F. fied in solvent extracts of the different parts of Ferula communis toxicity. Poisoning depends on the communis. The chemical composition of the essential amount of the plant materiel ingested and the oil was also investigated. duration of the ingestion. The most important characteristic of Ferula communis Ferula communis toxicosis in animals was shown to is its capacity to synthesize 4-hydroxycoumarins. At be dominated by an hemorrhagic syndrome associ- this time, no other plant is known to be able to do so. ated with hypothrombinaemia. The hypothrombinic Among these compounds are: ferulenol, 20-hydrox- action is related to a decrease in vitamin-K yferulenol, omega-hydroxyferulenol, (ferulenoloxy- dependent factors, which is due to the presence of 20’)-13 ferulenol, and other derivatives identified in 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives in the plant. the genuina variety of Morocco. 4-hydroxy- In fact, ferulenol and other of its derivatives were coumarins were also identified in the Ferula shown to produce an increase in prothrombin time communis in Italy. and hemorrhage in experimental animals. This effect The Brevifolia variety in Morocco contains only feru- is inverted by the injection of vitamin K1 (an antag- lenol, in addition to daucane sesquiterpenes, as a 4- onist of coumarin anticoagulants). hydroxycoumarin and ombelliferone (7-hydroxy- Like coumarin anticoagulants, fessoukh and feru- coumarin) derivatives, which are absent in the lenol were shown to be effective as rodenticides. genuina variety. 4-hydroxycoumarins were shown to have some The 4-hydroxycoumarins are the major constituents antibacterial activity. of fessoukh. A non-poisonous chemotype of Ferula communis in I Traditional medicine and local Sardinia (no 4-hydroxycoumarins) is also described. knowledge Despite the lack of morphological difference, a • Method of collection: broad chemical diversity exists within the giant In Morocco, only Ferula communis L. var. genuina is fennel, underlying the contrasting data on its used to extract the resin gum. For this, the leaves poisonous properties. are cut down at ground level, and then the top of Analysis of the inflorescence oil of the giant funnel the root is sliced off. The latex secretion oozes out growing wild in Corsica identified 46 components and is collected every 7 to 10 days, several times. representing 96.3 % of the amount of the inflores- Each time, the upper part of the root is cut again. cence oil. The main constituents were myrcene The collection is done in summer on hot days since (53.5 %), limonene (6.9 %) and a-pinene (6.6 %). it seems that hot weather increases the secretion of Several sesquiterpernes were present at appreciable the latex. The latex that is milky and white at the level: aristolene (8.5 %), (E,E)-farnesol (4.3 %), beginning becomes progressively solid and may turn gurjunene (1.4 %). The oil obtained from the spike brown with time. 140 A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa I Uses known and documented. In humans, several case In Morocco, the uses of fessoukh are about the studies exist and underline the toxicity of the plant same every where. for man and animals. Ferula communis poisoning in Mixed with olive oil, it is recommended by practi- man is reported as therapeutic accidents, mainly by tioners for external use for a variety of skin oral use of fessoukh or after the overuse or contin- diseases. In friction it is used against moths or ring- uous ingestion of the unopened inflorescence as a worm, rheumatism, and to heal in the feet cracks. legume for several days (more than 5 to 6 days). Gum resin is also added to some depilatory prepa- Women during menstruation or pregnant women rations. are the most affected, with exaggerated haemor- Orally it is prescribed by practitioners as an anti- rhage and abundant bleeding childbirth or abortion. helmintic, diuretic, vermifuge, and analgesic, and for Persons under therapeutic use of drugs with some pains in the joints, female sterility, and rheuma- anticoagulant activity should avoid consumption of tismm, as well as as an emetic. the pre-blossom inflorescence or fessoukh. The roasted flower buds are absorbed as a vermifuge, an anti-hysteric, for dysentery, and as an I Diseases treated and medicinal aphrodisiac. The whole plant is said to possess anti- properties spasmodic properties. It is used for skin diseases, rheumatism, cracks in Fessoukh seems to be famous because of its use in the feet, helminthic disease, pains in the joints, magic and sorcery. Fessoukh means that “which female sterility, rheumatism, hysteria, and dysentery. undoes spells (magical)”. Fessoukh is frequently It is antispasmodic, vermifugal, aphrodisiac, and can used in ritual or magic fumigation and in sorcery be used against moths or ringworm, as a depilatory, and counter-sorcery. Fumigation is believed to ward an emetic, a diuretic and an analgesic. off the “evil spirits” and the “evil”. The roots are also used, especially in a preparation I Other uses of the plant used for hair care. (Ethnobotany) The pithy, dried to stalks have been used to kindel fires. I History They are also used to build hives and sheep barns. Ferula communis, a typical plant of the Mediter- ranean region, was well known in classical times I Culinary uses and was said by Dioskorides, Gale, Pliny and other Consumption of the plant is not recent but goes ancient authors to be a medicinal herb. back to classical times. In Roman times, Pliny noted The resinous gum of the plantwas reported to be that the stems of the plant were consumed and one of the oldest gums of the umbelliferae known much appreciated. It was also reported that even to be used in traditional medicine. Moreover, the the “cotes” of the leaves were consumed in North maritime trade to Gibraltar, Alexandria and India Africa during periods of food shortage.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Chemical Composition of Volatile Oil of Ferula Assafoetida L
    International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences (IJRSAS) Volume 5, Issue 8, 2019, PP 9-14 ISSN No. (Online) 2454–6224 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2454-6224.0508002 www.arcjournals.org Chemical Composition of Volatile Oil of Ferula Assafoetida L P. Estekhdami1*, A. Nasiri Dehsorkhi2 1M.sc. Agronomy, Shahroud of University in Iran (2008). 2Ph.D. student of Agroecology , Agronomy Department, Agricultural Faculty , University of Zabol, in Iran. *Corresponding Author: P. Estekhdami, M.Sc. Agronomy, Shahroud of University in Iran (2008). Abstract: Asafoetida is an oleo-gum-resin obtained from the exudates of the roots of the Iranian endemic medicinal plant, F. asafoetida. It is used widely all over the world as a flavoring spice in a variety of foods. was analysed by GC and GC/MS. The constituents were identified by their mass spectra and Kovats' indices. Among those, The main constituents were (E)-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (58.9%), (Z)-β-ocimene (11.9%), (E)-β-ocimene (9.0%), β-pinene (5.0%) and (Z)-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (3.9%). Keywords: Asafoetida , GC/MS 1. INTRODUCTION The genus Ferula, the third largest genus of the Apiaceae (alt.Umbelliferae) family,is composed of ca. 180 species (Yaqoob and Nawchoo, 2016), 15 of whichare endemic to Iran (Mozaffarian, 1996),nine species to Turkey, seven to China (Yaqoob and Nawchoo, 2016) and one species to Italy, and the rest are indigenousentities of several other countries.The majority of the Ferula plants have a pungent odor and can beused for different purposes.In the literature, numerous reports have described various biolo- gical and medicinal activities for different essential oils and ex-tracts of the Ferula plants.
    [Show full text]
  • Foeniculum Vulgare) in Thyroid and Testes of Male Rats
    Plant Archives Vol. 18 No. 1, 2018 pp. 341-353 ISSN 0972-5210 PHYSIOLOGICAL, HORMONAL AND HISTOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF FENNEL SEEDS (FOENICULUM VULGARE) IN THYROID AND TESTES OF MALE RATS Noori Mohammed Luaibi Department of Biology, College of Science, AL-Mustansyriah University, Baghdad, Iraq. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract In various parts of the world Fennel seeds Foeniculum vulgare has been used in a herbal medicine. The present study aims to shed light on fennel’s side effects in male rats in the weights , hormonal, histological changes and some of the physiological parameters of thyroid and testes. About 60 Spargue-Dawley albino adult male rats were daily fed with fennel pellet in three different doses (50, 100, 200)gm/kg bw for three different periods of time (10, 20, 30) days. After end of each experiment animals were weighed then it scarified for blood and tissue collection , blood collected by heart puncture then it centrifuged for serum separation and kept at -80oC to hormonal, biochemical analysis and some histological standards , then thyroid and testes were excised and fixed in neutral buffered 10% formalin for histological preparation. The results showed that increased doses of fennel consumption and treatment duration statistically caused Highly significant increase (p<0.01) in thyroid weights in experimental treated groups (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) while group (5 and 6) showed significant increase (p<0.05) compared to the control group. No changes illustrated in values of Thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) in all periods of time and in all concentrations of fennel in comparison with the control group.
    [Show full text]
  • Conserving Europe's Threatened Plants
    Conserving Europe’s threatened plants Progress towards Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation Conserving Europe’s threatened plants Progress towards Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation By Suzanne Sharrock and Meirion Jones May 2009 Recommended citation: Sharrock, S. and Jones, M., 2009. Conserving Europe’s threatened plants: Progress towards Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Richmond, UK ISBN 978-1-905164-30-1 Published by Botanic Gardens Conservation International Descanso House, 199 Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3BW, UK Design: John Morgan, [email protected] Acknowledgements The work of establishing a consolidated list of threatened Photo credits European plants was first initiated by Hugh Synge who developed the original database on which this report is based. All images are credited to BGCI with the exceptions of: We are most grateful to Hugh for providing this database to page 5, Nikos Krigas; page 8. Christophe Libert; page 10, BGCI and advising on further development of the list. The Pawel Kos; page 12 (upper), Nikos Krigas; page 14: James exacting task of inputting data from national Red Lists was Hitchmough; page 16 (lower), Jože Bavcon; page 17 (upper), carried out by Chris Cockel and without his dedicated work, the Nkos Krigas; page 20 (upper), Anca Sarbu; page 21, Nikos list would not have been completed. Thank you for your efforts Krigas; page 22 (upper) Simon Williams; page 22 (lower), RBG Chris. We are grateful to all the members of the European Kew; page 23 (upper), Jo Packet; page 23 (lower), Sandrine Botanic Gardens Consortium and other colleagues from Europe Godefroid; page 24 (upper) Jože Bavcon; page 24 (lower), Frank who provided essential advice, guidance and supplementary Scumacher; page 25 (upper) Michael Burkart; page 25, (lower) information on the species included in the database.
    [Show full text]
  • DNA Barcoding Reveals Limited Accuracy of Identifications Based on Folk Taxonomy
    DNA Barcoding Reveals Limited Accuracy of Identifications Based on Folk Taxonomy Hugo J. de Boer1,2,3., Abderrahim Ouarghidi4,5., Gary Martin5, Abdelaziz Abbad4, Anneleen Kool3* 1 Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden, 2 Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands, 3 Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway, 4 Faculty of Science Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco, 5 Global Diversity Foundation, Marrakech, Morocco Abstract Background: The trade of plant roots as traditional medicine is an important source of income for many people around the world. Destructive harvesting practices threaten the existence of some plant species. Harvesters of medicinal roots identify the collected species according to their own folk taxonomies, but once the dried or powdered roots enter the chain of commercialization, accurate identification becomes more challenging. Methodology: A survey of morphological diversity among four root products traded in the medina of Marrakech was conducted. Fifty-one root samples were selected for molecular identification using DNA barcoding using three markers, trnH-psbA, rpoC1, and ITS. Sequences were searched using BLAST against a tailored reference database of Moroccan medicinal plants and their closest relatives submitted to NCBI GenBank. Principal Findings: Combining psbA-trnH, rpoC1, and ITS allowed the majority of the market samples to be identified to species level. Few of the species level barcoding identifications matched the scientific names given in the literature, including the most authoritative and widely cited pharmacopeia. Conclusions/Significance: The four root complexes selected from the medicinal plant products traded in Marrakech all comprise more than one species, but not those previously asserted.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluation of Ferula Assa-Foetida Accessions for Germination
    Evaluation of Ferula Assa-Foetida Accessions for Germination Parameters Under Cold Stratication to Overcome Seed Dormancy and Effect of Media Mixtures on Seedling Growth Ashok Kumar ( [email protected] ) Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Ravi Kumar Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Satbeer Singh Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Sahil Sharma Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Sanatsujat Singh Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Sanjay Kumar Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Research Article Keywords: Seed dormancy, chilling, germination, genotypes, Apiaceae and Ferula assa-foetida. Posted Date: December 3rd, 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-112608/v1 License: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Read Full License 1 Evaluation of Ferula assa-foetida accessions for germination parameters 2 under cold stratification to overcome seed dormancy and effect of media 3 mixtures on seedling growth 4 Ashok Kumar*1, Ravi Kumar1, Satbeer Singh1, Sahil Sharma1, Sanatsujat Singh1 and Sanjay 5 Kumar2 6 1Agrotechnology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute of Himalayan 7 Bioresource Technology (CSIR–IHBT), Palampur 176061 (HP), India 8 2Director, (CSIR–IHBT), Palampur 176061 (HP), India 9 *Corresponding author: Ashok Kumar, Tel.: +91 9418835423 10 Email address: [email protected]; [email protected] 11 ABSTRACT 12 Ferula assa-foetida L. is a perennial of Apiaceae family having seed dormancy which inhibits 13 the germination. Oleo-gum resin obtained from the rhizomes of Ferula assa-foetida plant has 14 several medicinal properties and used for the treatment of various diseases, pharmaceutical 15 industries and in cooking of food in some countries.
    [Show full text]
  • Directory of Incense Ingrediënts
    Directory of Incense ingrediënts Acacia -see Gum Arabic Agar Wood or Agarci Wood -see Oud Aloes resin. Not to be confused with the sweet smelling diseased wood known as Lignum Aloes, or Aloes Wood (which we stock under the name of Agar Wood). The name confusion arises from a mistranslation in the King James Authorised version of the Bible. Most biblical references simply to "Aloes" should be read as meaning "Lignum Aloes". The Aloes resin is prepared by boiling down the sap of Aloe ferrox -a plant similar to the better publicised Aloe vera. Smoulders to give off a strange green smoke, with a sweet, but "dark" smell. Aloes Wood -see Oud or Lignum Aloes Alum Alum is a white crystalline substance traditionally produced by processing certain rocks and clays. It has many uses such as a “mordant” (ie a fixative) in dying, and for curing animal skins. It is non-toxic. It is also one of the most useful chemicals in the incense-makers cupboard. Alum has no smell when smouldered (although it does have a slight lemon-sherbet taste). However, when ground up with herbs and used in incense it has the amazing property of bubbling up around the herb, and carrying the scent of that herb without the "bonfire" effect that you get if you try to burn the herb by itself. For making incense always use the lump or crystal form of Alum, as the grinding process breaks up the leaves of the herb. Powdered alum does not grind the herb and ends up with a paste.
    [Show full text]
  • Antioxidant Activity of Hydroalcholic Extract of Ferula Gummosa Boiss Roots
    European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 2011; 15: 658-664 Antioxidant activity of hydroalcholic extract of Ferula gummosa Boiss roots M.A. EBRAHIMZADEH1*, S.M. NABAVI1,2, S.F. NABAVI1,3, A.A. DEHPOUR4 1Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari (Iran) 2Department of Biology, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar (Iran) 3Student Research Development Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari (Iran) 4Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Ghaemshahr Branch (Iran) Abstract. – Objectives: Ferula gummosa Introduction Boiss is native to central Asia. This plant has traditionally been used in the treatment of Free radicals are usually short-lived species many diseases. The antihypoxic and antioxi- but they possess a single unpaired electron, ren- dant activities of Ferula gummosa roots were investigated. dering them highly reactive against biologically Material and Methods: 1,1-diphenyl-2- important macromolecules including DNA, pro- picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH), nitric oxide and teins and membrane lipids. To counteract this hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities, Fe2+ threat to their integrity, cells have evolved a vari- chelating ability, reducing power and hemoglo- ety of defense systems based on both water-solu- bin-induced linoleic acid peroxidation were ble and lipid-soluble antioxidant species, and on used to evaluate antioxidant activities. Antihe- antioxidant enzymes. A high proportion of the molytic activity was evaluated by H2O2 induced hemolysis in rat erythrocytes. The total amount antioxidant systems of the human body are de- of phenolic compounds was determined as gal- pendent on dietary constituents1. Synthetic an- lic acid equivalents and total flavonoid con- tioxidants such as butylhydroxyanisole (BHA) or tents were calculated as quercetin equivalents butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) are used to deceler- from a calibration curve.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by National Documentation Centre - EKT journals Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society Vol. 70, 2019 Effect of Ferula communis L. on reproductive parameters in Awassi ewes ONAL A.G. Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Agriculture, Hatay, Turkey https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.21785 Copyright © 2019 A.G. ONAL To cite this article: ONAL, A. (2019). Effect of Ferula communis L. on reproductive parameters in Awassi ewes. Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society, 70(3), 1625-1630. doi:https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.21785 http://epublishing.ekt.gr | e-Publisher: EKT | Downloaded at 21/02/2020 00:00:32 | J HELLENIC VET MED SOC 2019, 70(3): 1625-1630 Research article ΠΕΚΕ 2019, 70(3): 1625-1630 Ερευνητικό άρθρο Effect of Ferula communis L. on reproductive parameters in Awassi ewes A.G. Onal, Y.Z. Güzey Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Agriculture, Hatay, Turkey ABSTRACT. Nutrient composition of the diet affects follicular activity, embryonic development and reproductive hormones in ruminants. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of Ferula communis L. on some reproductive parameters of Awassi sheep. The experiment was carried out on 29 (15-16 months old) Awassi ewes. All ewes were allocated to receive either a control (14% CP and 11.7 MJ ME/kg, n=9) or a diet supplemented with 5% (75g, n=10) or 10% (150g, n=10) powdered F. communis root, respectively for 21 days. Oestrus was synchronized using intravaginal sponges, while oestrus behaviour was observed 24, 36 and 48h after the sponge removal.
    [Show full text]
  • Apiaceae Lindley (= Umbelliferae A.L.De Jussieu) (Carrot Family)
    Apiaceae Lindley (= Umbelliferae A.L.de Jussieu) (Carrot Family) Herbs to lianas, shrubs, or trees, aromatic; stems often hol- Genera/species: 460/4250. Major genera: Schefflera (600 low in internodal region; with secretory canals containing ethe- spp.), Eryngium (230), Polyscias (200), Ferula (150), real oils and resins, triterpenoid saponins, coumarins, falcri- Peucedanum (150), Pimpinella (150), Bupleurum (100), Ore- none polyacetylenes, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes; with opanax (90), Hydrocotyle (80), Lomatium (60), Heracleum umbelliferose(a trisaccharide) as carbohydrate storage (60), Angelica (50), Sanicula (40), Chaerophyllum (40), and product. Hairs various, sometimes with prickles. Leaves Aralia (30). Some of the numerous genera occurring in alternate, pinnately or palmately compound to simple, then the continental United States and/or Canada are Angeli- often deeply dissected or lobed, entire to serrate, with pinnate ca, Apium, Aralia, Carum, Centella, Chaerophyllum, Cicuta, to palmate venation; petioles ± sheathing; stipules pres- Conioselinum, Daucus, Eryngium, Hedera, Heradeum, ent to absent. Inflorescences determinate, modified and Hydrocotyle, Ligusticum, Lomatium, Osmorhiza, Oxypolis, forming simple umbels, these arranged in umbels, Panax, Pastinaca, Ptilimnium, Sanicula, Sium, Spermolepis, racemes, spikes, or panicles, sometimes condensed into Thaspium, Torilis, and Zizia. a head, often subtended by an involucre of bracts, termi- nal. Flowers usually bisexual but sometimes unisexual Economic plants and products: Apiaceae contain many (plants then monoecious to dioecious), usually radial, food and spice plants: Anethum (dill), Apium (celery), small. Sepals usually 5, distinct, very reduced. Petals usual- Carum (caraway), Coriandrum (coriander), Cyuminum ly 5, occasionally more, distinct, but developing from a ring (cumin), Daucus (carrot), Foeniculum (fennel), Pastinaca primordium, sometimes clearly connate, often inflexed, (parsnip), Petroselinum (parsley), and Pimpinella (anise).
    [Show full text]
  • Original Article
    1 Title: The genetic diversity and structure of the Ferula communis L. complex (Apiaceae) in 2 the Tyrrhenian area 3 4 Authors: 5 Caterina Angela Dettori a,*, Maria Cecilia Loi a, Salvatore Brullo b, Pere Fraga i Arguimbau c, 6 Elena Tamburini d, Gianluigi Bacchetta a. 7 1 Centro Conservazione Biodiversità (CCB), Sezione di Botanica ed Orto Botanico, 8 Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente - Università degli Studi di Cagliari. Viale 9 S. Ignazio da Laconi, 11-13 - I-09123 Cagliari, Italy. 10 b Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali - Università degli Studi di 11 Catania. Via A. Longo 19 - I-95125 Catania, Italy. 12 c Secció de Ciències Naturals, Institut Menorquí d'Estudis (IME). Camí des Castell 28 - E- 13 07702 Maó, Menorca, Illes Balears, Spain. 14 d Sezione di Microbiologia e Virologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche - Università 15 degli Studi di Cagliari. Sesta strada Ovest, Z.I. Macchiareddu - I-09010 Uta, Italy. 16 17 *Corresponding author: 18 Caterina Angela Dettori 19 Viale S. Ignazio da Laconi, 11-13 - I-09123 Cagliari, Italy. 20 Tel: +390706753681 21 Fax: +390706753509 22 E-mail: [email protected] 23 24 Abstract 25 The giant fennel Ferula communis L. is a circum-Mediterranean complex characterized by a 26 great morphological variability and comprising several species and subspecies. In this work, 1 27 we used AFLP markers to investigate the pattern of genetic variation of the F. communis 28 complex in the Tyrrhenian area and to compare the levels of genetic diversity between the 29 widespread F. communis and the Corso-Sardinian endemic congener F.
    [Show full text]
  • Biological Activities of Essential Oils from the Genus Ferula (Apiaceae)
    10.2478/abm-2010-0110 Asian Biomedicine Vol. 4 No. 6 December 2010; 835-847 Review article Biological activities of essential oils from the genus Ferula (Apiaceae) Amirhossein Sahebkar, Mehrdad Iranshahi Biotechnology Research Center and School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS), Mashhad, Iran The genus Ferula (Apiaceae) comprises about 170 species occurring from central Asia westward to northern Africa. This genus is well-known in folk medicine for the treatment of various organ disorders. Most of Ferula species possess strong aromatic smell that is due to the presence of essential oil or oleoresin in their different organs. This article reviews anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and other biological activities of Ferula oils reported to date. For medicinal applications, the chemical composition of volatile oils obtained from different Ferula species is summarized in Appendix. Keywords: Apiaceae, essential oil, Ferula The Apiaceae or Umbelliferae is a family of Ferula have been investigated chemically [6-8]. The usually aromatic plants with hollow stems commonly plants of this genus are well documented as a good known as umbellifers. This family is well represented source of biologically active compounds such as in the Iranian flora, at least with 112 genera, 316 derivatives [9-17], and sulfur containing compounds species, and 75 endemic species [1]. Notable members [18-24]. of this family include Anethum graveolens (Dill), Several species of this genus have been used in Anthriscus cerefolium (chervil), Angelica spp. traditional medicine for the treatment of various organ (Angelica), Apium gravolence (celery), Carum carvi disorders. Among different Ferula species that have (caraway), Coriandrum sativum (coriander), been used as natural remedies, F.
    [Show full text]
  • The Survey of Western Palestine. a General Index
    THE SURVEY OF WESTERN PALESTINE. A GENERAL INDEX TO 1. THE MEMOIRS, VOLS. I.-III. 2. THE SPECIAL PAPERS. 3. THE JERUSALEM VOLUME. 4. THE FLORA AND FAUNA OF PALESTINE. 5. THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. AND TO THE ARABIC AND ENGLISH NAME LISTS. COMPILED BY HENRY C. STEWARDSON. 1888 Electronic Edition by Todd Bolen BiblePlaces.com 2005 PREFACE. ITTLE explanation is required of the arrangement followed in this Volume, beyond calling L attention to the division of this Volume into two parts: the first forms a combined Index to the three Volumes of the Memoirs, the Special Papers, the Jerusalem Volume, the Flora and Fauna of Palestine, and the Geological Survey; and the second is an Index to the Arabic and English Name Lists. This division was considered advisable in order to avoid the continual use of reference letters to the Name Lists, which would otherwise have been required. The large number of entries rendered it absolutely necessary to make them as brief as possible; but it is hoped that it will be found that perspicuity has not been sacrificed to brevity. A full explanation of the reference letters used will be found on the first page. The short Hebrew Index at the end of the Volume has been kindly furnished by Dr. W. Aldis Wright. H. C. S. PREFACE TO ELECTRONIC EDITION. ore than a hundred years after the publication of the Survey of Western Palestine, its M continued value is well-known and is evidenced by the recent reprint and librarians’ propensity to store the work in restricted areas of the library.
    [Show full text]