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Tall Ramping Fumitory

Fumaria bastardii

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Ranunculales
Family:
Papaveraceae (Poppy)
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Annual
Maximum Size:
40 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Fields, hedgerows, seaside, wasteland.

Flower:
֍
Pink, 4 petals
 
Dense spikes of pink, tubular flowers, purple-tipped. 10 to 18 flowers per spike (raceme). The flower spikes are longer than the stalks which leads to the spikes themselves. Individual flowers measure between 9 and 11mm in size. The sepals are sharply toothed.
Fruit:
The fruits are roughly globular in shape. It measures about 2.5mm in size. There is no obvious neck between the fruit and the stalk. The bract measures roughly one third the length of the fruit stalk.
Leaves:
A scrambling annual weed of arable farmland. The leaves are pinnately lobed. The leaf segments are relatively broad and flat in comparison with other species of fumitory.
Other Names:
Bastard's Fumitory, Maidens Ruin.
Frequency (UK):
Occasionally seen  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Fumaria bastardii is a species of flowering plant in the Papaveraceae family. It is native to Europe and Western Asia. It is an annual herb that typically grows to 20-40 cm tall, and has delicate, divided leaves and small pink, white or purple flowers that bloom in Spring and Summer. Like other fumitory species, this plant also has a history of use in traditional medicine, particularly for treating skin conditions such as eczema, and for its diuretic and laxative effects. However, it is also toxic in high doses and should be used under medical supervision. Some of the other common names for this plant include Bastard fumitory and Maiden's Ruin.

Blog

Tall Ramping Fumitory, also known as Fumaria bastardii, is a herbaceous annual plant that belongs to the family Papaveraceae. It is native to Europe and North Africa and is widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean region. This plant has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties and is known for its distinctive appearance and delicate beauty.

Appearance

Tall Ramping Fumitory is a slender, delicate plant that grows up to 40 cm in height. It has a branching stem with thin, feathery leaves that are divided into many small leaflets. The flowers are small, delicate, and pinkish-purple in color, arranged in loose spikes at the top of the stem. The petals are delicate and papery, with a slightly fringed edge, and the sepals are green and narrow.

Habitat

Tall Ramping Fumitory prefers to grow in disturbed soil, such as waste ground, hedgerows, and roadsides. It can also be found in grasslands, along forest edges, and in gardens. This plant prefers to grow in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.

Medicinal properties

Tall Ramping Fumitory has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of ailments, including digestive disorders, skin conditions, and respiratory problems. The plant contains alkaloids, flavonoids, and organic acids that are responsible for its medicinal properties.
  • Digestive disorders: Tall Ramping Fumitory is believed to stimulate the production of bile and improve liver function. It is commonly used to treat digestive disorders such as constipation, indigestion, and bloating.
  • Skin conditions: The plant has been used to treat various skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. The extract of the plant is used topically to soothe irritated skin, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
  • Respiratory problems: Tall Ramping Fumitory is believed to have a soothing effect on the respiratory system. It is used to treat conditions such as coughs, colds, and bronchitis.

Cautions

Tall Ramping Fumitory should be used with caution, as it contains alkaloids that can be toxic in large doses. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid using this plant, as it may stimulate uterine contractions.

Uses and benefits of Tall Ramping Fumitory

  1. Anti-inflammatory: The alkaloids and flavonoids present in Tall Ramping Fumitory have anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful in treating inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and osteoarthritis.

  2. Detoxifying: The plant has detoxifying properties that help in eliminating toxins from the body. It is believed to stimulate liver function and promote the elimination of waste products from the body.

  3. Diuretic: Tall Ramping Fumitory is a natural diuretic that helps in increasing urine output and reducing water retention. This property makes it useful in treating edema, hypertension, and other conditions that cause fluid accumulation.

  4. Antioxidant: The flavonoids present in Tall Ramping Fumitory have antioxidant properties that help in protecting the body against oxidative stress and free radical damage. This makes it useful in preventing age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

  5. Anti-cancer: Some studies have shown that Tall Ramping Fumitory may have anti-cancer properties. It is believed to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and promote cell death in certain types of cancer.

  6. Wound healing: The plant has wound healing properties that make it useful in treating minor cuts, burns, and abrasions. The extract of the plant is applied topically to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection.

  7. Anti-spasmodic: Tall Ramping Fumitory is believed to have anti-spasmodic properties that make it useful in treating muscle spasms and cramps. It is commonly used to treat menstrual cramps and other types of muscle pain.

In conclusion, Tall Ramping Fumitory is a versatile plant with a range of medicinal properties that make it useful in treating a wide range of health conditions. However, it should be used with caution, and pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid using it. If you are considering using Tall Ramping Fumitory for medicinal purposes, it is important to consult a qualified herbalist or healthcare practitioner.

More Information

Tall Ramping Fumitory, also known as Fumaria bastardii, has a long history of use in traditional medicine for its medicinal properties. It is native to Europe and North Africa and can be found growing in disturbed soil, such as waste ground, hedgerows, and roadsides.

One of the most well-known benefits of Tall Ramping Fumitory is its ability to stimulate liver function and promote the production of bile. This makes it useful in treating digestive disorders such as constipation, indigestion, and bloating. The plant is also a natural diuretic, which means it can help increase urine output and reduce water retention in the body. This property makes it useful in treating edema, hypertension, and other conditions that cause fluid accumulation.

Tall Ramping Fumitory is also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help in treating inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and osteoarthritis. It is believed to work by reducing inflammation in the body and promoting the production of anti-inflammatory compounds.

The plant has antioxidant properties that help in protecting the body against oxidative stress and free radical damage. This makes it useful in preventing age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Some studies have also shown that Tall Ramping Fumitory may have anti-cancer properties, and it is believed to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and promote cell death in certain types of cancer.

Tall Ramping Fumitory is commonly used topically to treat various skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. The extract of the plant is applied to the skin to soothe irritated skin, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. The plant also has wound healing properties and can be applied topically to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection.

Overall, Tall Ramping Fumitory is a versatile plant with a range of medicinal properties that make it useful in treating a wide range of health conditions. However, caution should be exercised when using the plant, as it contains alkaloids that can be toxic in large doses. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also avoid using Tall Ramping Fumitory, as it may stimulate uterine contractions. It is important to consult a qualified herbalist or healthcare practitioner before using this plant for medicinal purposes.


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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