Phacelia

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Phacelia (lat. Phacelia) - a large genus of herbaceous plants belonging to the Vodolistnikov family. The genus includes more than 180 species that are naturally found in South and North America. Currently, the plant is actively grown in all parts of the world, but especially in Russia. Some species are classified as weeds. They grow everywhere, but most often they can be found in meadows, on roadsides, as well as on forest edges.

Characteristics of culture

Phacelia is represented by perennial and annual herbaceous plants, which often reach a height of 100 cm. There are also low-growing species - up to 20-25 cm in height. In the process of growth, the phacelia forms a lush bush, crowned with bright, green, pubescent, lobed or pinnately dissected foliage, located alternately or opposite (depending on the species). Stems of plants are straight, highly branched, pubescent over the entire surface with short bristly hairs.

The flowers of the representatives of the genus under consideration are small, regular in shape, consist of 5 petals, endowed with elongated stamens, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences. The color depends on the species, there are phacelia with flowers of pink, blue, purple, yellow and lilac. Phacelia bloom begins in early summer, usually in the second decade of June and continues until frost. Some types of phacelia are used in breeding. To date, a lot of new and noteworthy varieties have been obtained.

Known species

Of the most common types, it can be noted

twisted phacelia (Latin Phacelia congesta) … It is characterized by small bushes no more than 40-50 cm high, crowned with light, green, pubescent foliage and small blue flowers. Flowers often do not exceed 5-6 mm in diameter. The species in question is used in landscaping gardens and personal plots.

Also worth touching on

phacelia campanulate (lat. Phacelia campanularia) … The species is undersized, in height does not exceed 25 cm. It is characterized by straight stems of reddish color, bearing petiolate, alternate, lobed foliage of green color with a bluish tint. A distinctive feature that gives the plant a high decorative effect is a brown border along the edges of the foliage. Flowers are also very attractive. They are small, up to 3 cm in diameter, blue, collected in lush brushes.

Phacelia tansy (lat. Phacelia tanacetifolia) for many years it has been used as green manure. It is sown in the fields after harvest and then plowed. It has been proven that the species in question has an excellent effect on the soil, to be more precise, it enriches the soil with important organic components required by cultivated plants. In appearance, the tansy phacelia is not very attractive. She is characterized by high growth (up to 1 m) and small gray-blue flowers. However, this does not prevent summer residents from including it in flower arrangements.

Application in traditional medicine

It is important to note that foliage and stems are not used in traditional medicine, moreover, they are not recommended for consumption. Only phacelia honey is valued. It effectively fights against problems of the gastrointestinal tract, perfectly relieves depression, normalizes sleep and eliminates nervousness. Also, phacelia honey is recommended to enhance immunity in the midst of colds and flu.

Traditional healers recommend honey for diseases of the cardiovascular system. And due to its unique composition, phacelia honey is extremely useful in reducing performance and severe fatigue. It is important to remember that phacelia honey has contraindications. In no case should it be consumed by people suffering from diabetes mellitus, as well as allergy sufferers.