Pulicaria dysenterica
Encyclopedia
Pulicaria dysenterica is a species of Fleabane in the daisy family
. It is native to Europe and western Asia where it grows in a variety of habitats ranging from semi-arid Mediterranean woodlands
to wetter situations. P. dysenterica is perennial and can form dense clusters of plants, spreading by its roots. It flowers at its maximum height of about 6 dm. Leaves are alternately arranged and clasp the stem, which itself contains a salty-astringent
liquid. The yellow inflorescences
are typically composed of a prominent center of 40-100 disc florets surrounded by 20-30 narrow, pistillate ray florets. When setting seed the flower heads reflex.
Fleabane's common name comes from its former use as an incense to drive away insects. Other past uses include treatments for dysentery
and unspecified ocular maladies.
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
. It is native to Europe and western Asia where it grows in a variety of habitats ranging from semi-arid Mediterranean woodlands
Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub
Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome, defined by the World Wildlife Fund, characterized by dry summers and rainy winters. Summers are typically hot in low-lying inland locations but can be cool near some seas, as near San Francisco, which have a sea of cool waters...
to wetter situations. P. dysenterica is perennial and can form dense clusters of plants, spreading by its roots. It flowers at its maximum height of about 6 dm. Leaves are alternately arranged and clasp the stem, which itself contains a salty-astringent
Astringent
An astringent substance is a chemical compound that tends to shrink or constrict body tissues, usually locally after topical medicinal application. The word "astringent" derives from Latin adstringere, meaning "to bind fast"...
liquid. The yellow inflorescences
Head (botany)
The capitulum is considered the most derived form of inflorescence. Flower heads found outside Asteraceae show lesser degrees of specialization....
are typically composed of a prominent center of 40-100 disc florets surrounded by 20-30 narrow, pistillate ray florets. When setting seed the flower heads reflex.
Fleabane's common name comes from its former use as an incense to drive away insects. Other past uses include treatments for dysentery
Dysentery
Dysentery is an inflammatory disorder of the intestine, especially of the colon, that results in severe diarrhea containing mucus and/or blood in the faeces with fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, dysentery can be fatal.There are differences between dysentery and normal bloody diarrhoea...
and unspecified ocular maladies.