Opopanax chironium

Opopanax chironium, common name Hercules-all-heal,[2] is a herb of the family Apiaceae.

Opopanax chironium
Plant of Opopanax chironium
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Apiales
Family:
Apiaceae
Genus:
Opopanax
Species:
O. chironium
Binomial name
Opopanax chironium
Synonyms[1]
  • Dorema chironia (L.) M.Hiroe
  • Laserpitium chironium L.
  • Maspeton chironium (L.) Raf.
  • Opopanax bulgaricus Velen.

Subspecies
  • Opopanax chironium subsp. chironium
  • Opopanax chironium subsp. bulgaricum (Vel.) N.Andreev[3]

Description

Opopanax chironium grows 1–3 metres (3 ft 3 in–9 ft 10 in) high.[4] This perennial herb has a branching stem, thick and rough close to the base. Leaves are serrate, pinnate, with long petioles. It produces a large, flat, yellow inflorescence at the top of the branches.[5][6]

Uses
Main article: Opopanax

This plant is used in the production of certain perfumes. A consumable resin known as opopanax can be extracted from the Opopanax plant by cutting at the base of a stem and sun-drying the juice that flows out. Though people often find the taste acrid and bitter, the highly flammable resin can be burned as incense to produce a scent somewhat like balsam or lavender.[4]

Flowers of Opopanax chironium

The resin has been used in the treatment of spasms,[5] and, before that, as an emmenagogue, in the treatment of asthma, chronic visceral infections, hysteria and hypochondria.[4] Opopanax resin is most frequently sold in dried irregular pieces, though tear-shaped gems are not uncommon.[5]

Distribution and habitat

The plant thrives in warm climates like Iran, Italy, Greece and Turkey, but also grows in cooler climates.[2][5] Some view opopanax grown in cooler climates as being of inferior quality.

References
  1. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
  2. "Opopanax chironium". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  3. Catalogue of Life
  4. Henriette’s Herbal Homepage
  5. Botanical
  6. Enciclopedia Treccani
  • Tutin, T. G. et al., eds. 1964–1980. Flora Europaea.
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