Burningbush
Dictamnus albus
Synonyms: Dictamnus fraxinella var. albus, Dictamnus fraxinella var. albiflos, Dictamnus albus var. gynodynamicus, Dictamnus caucasicus, Dictamnus albus var. bucharicus, Dictamnus fraxinella var. obtusiflorus, Dictamnus albus var. caucasicus, Dictamnus albus var. angustifolius, Dictamnus albus subsp. turkestanicus, Dictamnus fraxinella, Dictamnus fraxinella var. macrophylla, Fraxinella dictamnus, Dictamnus albus subsp. gymnostylis, Dictamnus gymnostylis, Dictamnus albus var. europaeus, Dictamnus fraxinella var. europaeus, Dictamnus dasycarpus f. velutinus, Dictamnus fraxinella var. grandiflorus, Dictamnus macedonicus, Dictamnus microphyllus, Dictamnus levistylus, Dictamnus angustifolius, Dictamnus tadshikorum, Dictamnus albus var. leucopetalus, Dictamnus odorus, Dictamnus albus var. purpureus, Dictamnus solitarius, Dictamnus caucasicus var. grandidentatus, Dictamnus albus subvar. purpureus, Dictamnus albus var. albiflos, Dictamnus major, Dictamnus albus subsp. caucasicus, Dictamnus albus var. obtusiflorus, Dictamnus fraxinella var. caucasicus, Dictamnus himalayensis, Dictamnus albus subvar. angustifolius, Dictamnus fraxinella var. microphylla, Fraxinella alba, Dictamnus albus var. macedonicus, Dictamnus generalis, Dictamnus fraxinella var. purpureus, Dictamnus albus var. himalayensis, Dictamnus dasycarpus var. velutinus, Dictamnus obtusiflorus, Dictamnus longifrons var. leucopetalus, Dictamnus albus var. lanceolatus, Dictamnus caucasicus var. angustifolius, Dictamnus altaicus, Dictamnus albus subvar. latifolius, Dictamnus sessilis, Dictamnus suffultus, Dictamnus davuricus
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Dictamnus albus, commonly known as burning bush, gas plant, dittany or fraxinella, is a striking herbaceous perennial of the Rutaceae family native to warm, open woodlands and rocky slopes of southern Europe, North Africa and across Asia to northern China. It grows 40 to 100 centimetres tall from a stout woody rhizome, with erect, glandular-hairy stems clothed in alternate, pinnately compound leaves whose three to six pairs of dark green, leathery, ovate-lanceolate leaflets and odd terminal leaflet superficially resemble those of an ash tree. In early summer the stems are crowned by a loose pyramidal spike or raceme of conspicuous pale purple, pink or white five-petalled flowers, each 2 to 3 centimetres across, bearing long exserted curving stamens. The fruit is a five-lobed capsule covered, like the upper plant, with prominent dark glands that secrete a strongly aromatic, citrus-scented volatile oil so flammable that on still hot days the air around the inflorescence can briefly ignite — giving the plant its 'burning bush' name. The plant is significantly phototoxic: contact between the sap and skin, followed by sun exposure, causes severe phytophotodermatitis through furocoumarins.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.