Ruscus aculeatus - butcher's broom (5 seeds)

Genus of 6 species of evergreen, rhizomatous suffrutics from the woods of Madeira and the Azores, from Europe and North Africa up to Iran. Ruscus aculeatus is an evergreen herbaceous perennial up to 70-100 cm tall, with creeping rhizome. Green stems and lanceolate "leaves" of a magnificent bottle green, with apical spine. In reality they are not "leaves" but modified branches (cladodes) just like the "blades" of the prickly pear. Dioecious plant, with inconspicuous flowers and large, very decorative red berries.

Pedoclimatic needs

Butcher's broom is a typical plant of the Mediterranean undergrowth. It is found in coastal and hilly environments and does not tolerate excessively intense and prolonged cold (up to -6°-8/c). It grows in woods, especially in oak groves, on sub-acid or calcareous soil, in environments rich in organic substance. Requires a light, well-drained substrate with good organic substance content. Being an undergrowth plant, it prefers a shaded and cool exposure. Even if it tolerates a certain summer dryness, it benefits from regular watering. The butcher's broom was traditionally used to defend food stored in the cellar and fruit trees from mice, it is edible and medicinal: the spring shoots (shoots) are similar to asparagus, while the rhizomes are used in medicine and cosmetics for their properties diuretic and vasoconstrictor.

Sowing

From autumn to spring. Attention: the seeds of this species are dormant and are born in the spring following sowing after 14-16 months.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Ruscus aculeatus

Family: Asparagaceae