Additional notes (click to expand)

Medicinal

These notes refer to R. aculeatus. Culpeper: ‘Of knee-holly ... provoke urine, break the stone, and help such as cannot piss freely. Use them like grass roots.’
Culpeper, Nicholas. (1650). A Physical Directory . London, Peter Cole.

Nomenclature

Previously grown as Ruscus hypoglossum (05/06/2005). Re-identified as R. aculeatus var. angustifolius (07/09/2016).

Toxicity

Humans/Pets:Fruits are ornamental-not to be eaten. -HTA guidelines.
HTA Guide to Potentially Harmful Plants, 3rd Edition (2022)

Geographical distribution

  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Turkey
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Hungary
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Albania
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Greece
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Italy
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Yugoslavia
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, France
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, Portugal
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, Spain

Ruscus aculeatus var. angustifolius Boiss.

Family: ASPARAGACEAE
Genus: Ruscus
Species: aculeatus L.
Variety: angustifolius Boiss.
Common names: Narrow-Leaf Butcher's Broom
Distribution summary: Europe, W. Asia
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: H4 - Hardy; average winter
Habitat: Understorey and margins of evergreen forest
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Plants of the World (D)
Flowering months: January, February, March, April
Reason for growing: Medicinal, toxic


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