Ruscus aculeatus var. angustifolius Boiss.
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Ruscus aculeatus var. angustifolius

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

Additional Notes

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

Humans/Pets:Fruits are ornamental-not to be eaten. -HTA guidelines.

HTA Guide to Potentially Harmful Plants, 3rd Edition (2022)

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.

Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Turkey

Europe, Middle Europe, Hungary

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Albania

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Yugoslavia

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Greece

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Italy

Europe, Southwestern Europe, France

Europe, Southwestern Europe, Spain

Europe, Southwestern Europe, Portugal

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