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Syrian Rue - Ornamental Plant

Syrian rue (lat. Peganum harmala) - is also known as Syrian rose, Syrian ruta, Turkish rose, Turkish ruta. It is a plant belonging to the Nitrariaceae family, which consists of a genus of shrubby plants that belong to the order Sapindales. Plants from this family are not economically significant.

They are used in healing practices for preparing beverages, however, these are plants containing psychoactive substances. Consuming them can be dangerous. The genus Peganum, which includes Syrian rue, contains substances that stimulate the nervous system, which is why it is known as a magical plant from the Middle East. Syrian rue originates from the dry regions of India, western to central Asia, and Tibet. The plant is very drought-tolerant and thanks to its seeds, from which a dye is produced - Turkish/Iranian red - it has spread very quickly to Mexico and the United States.

It now grows abundantly in salt deserts in the western United States, where it thrives excellently and even displaces native shrubs and grasses. It thrives in steppes, on sandy and rocky slopes, and in deserts. It grows from altitudes of 300 m above sea level up to 4000 m above sea level. It is also found in Hungary and southern France.

Syrian rue is a perennial plant that grows to a height of 0.3 - 0.8 - 2m. If it grows in very dry soil, its roots can reach depths of up to 6.1m. The stems of this plant are prostrate, spreading and form small shrubs. The leaves of Syrian rue are irregularly divided, alternately arranged. In the early growth stage of the plant, the leaves are whitish and felted. The plant blooms from June to August. The flowers are small, white to pale yellow. They grow from the leaf axils. The flower of Syrian rue is approximately 2-3 cm in diameter. The fruits are three-chambered capsules containing a large number of dark brown seeds. The scent of Syrian rue is herbal, slightly bitter, with a light chocolate note.

According to European Union regulations, these seeds are not a dietary supplement nor a food product. The health effects of the plant are not proven or certified. This article is only about growing the plant as an ornamental or houseplant.

Growing Syrian Rue

Syrian Rue can be grown very successfully even in our conditions. It thrives in sunny locations, but also does very well as a houseplant. If we decide to grow it from seed, we prepare a substrate suitable for sowing. The seeds have very good germination rates, even seeds several years old will germinate. Germination can be supported by covering the seeds or growing them in a mini greenhouse. Gently press the Syrian Rue seeds into the prepared, sufficiently moistened substrate and moisten the surface additionally by misting with a spray bottle. Place the greenhouse with the sowing in a bright, sunny location and check that constant moisture and warmth is maintained in the mini greenhouse.

After germination, you can transplant the Syrian Rue. However, the seedlings are fragile and it's better to keep this in mind when sowing and sow the seeds less densely so that transplanting is not necessary. Water the seedlings very carefully. Under no circumstances allow them to become waterlogged.

Syrian Rue is planted outdoors after May 15th, when there is no longer a risk of ground frost. Suitable soil for planting seedlings is sandy and well-draining. When growing Syrian Rue as an indoor ornamental plant, prepare a pot with a good drainage layer of sand, pebbles or expanded clay. Place the pot on a sunny windowsill in your home. The plants do well in a bright location protected from midday sun. It can remain outdoors until autumn. In autumn, the above-ground part dries up and this indicates that it's the most suitable time for overwintering.

Syrian Rue is not a frost-resistant plant. For proper overwintering of the plant, use a cooler room or cellar. After the above-ground part dries up, carrot-like roots of the Syrian Rue remain underground (in the bed), which must be removed from the soil and stored in dry sand. In spring, the roots are removed from the sand and planted back in the bed. The roots will immediately sprout and the plant continues to grow.

Syrian Rue prefers a warm and sunny location. The warmer and sunnier the spot you find for it, the better it will thrive.

Syrian Rue - Research and Unsubstantiated Claims

Syrian Rue is used to treat pain and skin inflammations, including skin cancer. It is also used as an anthelmintic - helping to eliminate parasitic worms from the body. Ancient Greeks used powder from the seeds to rid the organism of tapeworms, and also for recurring fever in malaria.

The effects of the plant are still being researched, and studies are being conducted on the active substances' impact on the human body. The psychotropic effects of Syrian Rue have been known since ancient times. These effects are caused by harmine, a substance contained in this plant. Its seeds were used in folk medicine as a universal remedy. Using the drug from Syrian Rue in small amounts may have a therapeutic effect on the brain. In larger quantities, it causes hallucinations, depression, and is very dangerous for the nervous system (convulsions, paralysis). The hallucinations caused by larger use of the drug last 4-24 hours depending on the amount consumed. The strongest effects appear approximately 3 hours after ingestion. The mood and hallucinations can be pleasant, but after overdose, states of anxiety, convulsions, and nausea very often occur. The plant is poisonous, eating it can be dangerous, and it is grown only as an ornamental.

In Turkey, strung dried seed capsules from Syrian Rue are used for protection against the "evil eye". Turks hang them in their homes or on vehicles. It is used for similar purposes in Morocco as well. Red dye - called Turkish Red, is obtained from this plant and is often used throughout western Asia for dyeing carpets. The dye is sometimes also called Iranian Red. It is also used for dyeing wool. When the seeds are extracted with water, a yellow fluorescent dye is obtained from them. If the seeds are extracted with alcohol, the typical red dye is obtained from them. The red color is also used in printing inks and inks intended for tattooing.

In Uzbekistan, dry stems are used for ritual fumigation of rooms. Breathing the smoke from Syrian Rue seeds supposedly has a healing effect in treating asthma. A decoction from the seeds is also drunk in small doses for stomach problems. It helps with menstrual and labor pains. Syrian Rue has an intoxicating scent and has, among other things, bactericidal and insecticidal effects. In Egypt, oil from Syrian Rue seeds is used as a love drink under the name Zitel-Harmel, and is popular despite the initial nausea it causes.

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Author: Hana Michalíková, www.rostliny-semena.cz