Ruta graveolens L.   Rutaceae (Rue Family)   Mediterranean Region Herb-of-Grace  Common Rue

                                             March Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Perennial strong-scented, erect, glaucous herb to 1.0 m. tall; lvs. alternate, 2-3 pinnate, gland-dotted, oblong in outline, to 1 or more dm. long, the segms. entire, oblong to spatulate, ca. 1-1.5 cm. long; infl. in terminal erect paniculate clusters, fls. ca. 12 mm. across, petals 5, greenish yellow, with involute toothed margins and large obtuse carpels; calyx small and persistent, with mostly 4 lobes; stamens 10; ovary 4-celled with central style, the ovules several in each cell.

 Habitat: Escape from cultivation.  Blooms in spring.

Name:  Ruta the classical name of rue.  (Bailey 605).  Grave-olens, heavy-scented.  (Bailey 15).  Latin, graveolens, strong-scented.  (Jaeger 113).

General:  Rare in the study area, found only once and this in upper Big Canyon where it probably washed down from the housing above.  (my comment).       Bailey lists only R. graveolens and says it has toothed petal margins and lf. segms. oblong to spatulate.  Hickman Ed. lists R. chalepensis with puberulent stems and fringed inrolled petal margins.  As an addition to this description Hickman mentions that R. graveolens has lvs. ovate in outline and petal margin wavy, not fringed.  With these conflicts, the only different features in my specimen are lack of the puberulence in R. chalepensis and the shape of the lf. segms. which appear to me more narrow-spatulate than ovate and hence belonging to R. graveolens.  (my comments).        This is one of the herbs that have been used since time immemorial.  It was anciently used by the priests, and even in Christ's time was a well-known herb and used by the people.  Rue is very much like hyssop as a fine remedy for the many ills of humanity.  Will relieve congestion of the uterus, excellent in suppressed menstruation and stomach trouble, cramps in the bowels, nervousness, hysteria, spasms, and convulsions.  Will expel worms, relieve pain in the head, a confused mind, dizziness and insanity.  A poultice of rue is good for sciatica, pain in the joints and gout.  It resists poison. (Kloss 305).      Rue is a bitter, aromatic stimulant, very valuable for gas pains or colic.  (Meyer 109).       Upwards of 100 genera and 1,000 species comprise the known members of the Rue family.  Citrus is included in this family. (Bailey 604).

Text Ref:  Bailey 605; Hickman, Ed. 988; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 771.

Photo Ref: July-Sept 96 # 23; Jan-Mar 97 #6A,35A,36A.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson.

First Found:  March 1997.

Computer Ref: Plant Data 502.

Plant specimen donated to UC Riverside in 2004.

Last edit 8/8/05. 

                              September Photo                                                             March Photo