Rutaceae FAMILY

Ruta montana

Edibility

1/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species the following notes apply to at least one other member of the genus so some caution is advised. All parts of this plant are poisonous in large quantities[ 19 Title Poisonous Plants. Publication Author Stary. F. Publisher Hamlyn Year 1983 ISBN 0-600-35666-3 Description Not very comprehensive, but easy reading. ]. It should not be used at all by pregnant women since it can induce abortions[ 165 Title The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. Publication Author Mills. S. Y. Publisher Year ISBN Description An excellent small herbal. ]. The sap contains furanocoumarins, sensitizing the skin to light and causing blistering or dermatitis in sensitive people[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ].

Botanical Description

Ruta montana is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 0.30 metres tall. It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeS.E. Europe to W. Asia and N. Africa.

HabitatDry rocky places[ 50 Title Flora Europaea Publication Author ? Publisher Cambridge University Press Year 1964 ISBN - Description An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for Europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader. ].