Snapdragon, Garden snapdragon

Antirrhinum majus

Physical Characteristics

Antirrhinum majus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Europe. Naturalized in Britain[17].

Habitats

Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil Edible Uses: Oil An oil that is little inferior to olive oil is said to be obtained from the seeds[4]. The report also says that the plant has been cultivated in Russia for this purpose[4]. The seeds are very small and I wonder about the authenticity of this report[K].

Medicinal Uses

Antiphlogistic Bitter Resolvent Stimulant The leaves and flowers are antiphlogistic, bitter, resolvent and stimulant[7, 115]. They have been employed in poultices on tumours and ulcers[4]. It is effective in the treatment of all kinds of inflammation and is also used on haemorrhoids[7]. The plant is harvested in the summer when in flower and is dried for later use[7].

Known Hazards

None known