RUTAGE^-RUE FAMILY 



COMMON RUE 



RiUa graveolens. 



Ruta, the ancient name of the plant; meaning unknown. 



A strong-scented, hardy perennial once cultivated but now found only 

 as an escape. Native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe and 

 western Asia. Juices acrid. July, August. 



Stem. — Slightly woody at the base, two to 

 three feet high, leafy, bushy. 



Leaves.— Alternate, pinnately decompound ; 

 gray-green, dotted with small, transparent 

 glands resembling punctures, containing an 

 acrid, bitter, aromatic oil. 



Leaflets. — Oblong or obovate, entire, the 

 terminal one often the broader. 



Flowers. — In few-flowered corymbs, 

 greenish-yellow, parts spreading, produced all 

 summer. 



Calyx. — Four or five sepals. 



Corolla. — Four or five yellow petals, curved 

 and arching at the apex. 



Stamens. — Eight to ten, twice as many as 

 the petals. 



Ovary. — Four to five lobed, four to five 

 celled. 



Seeds. — Several. 



Common Rue. Riila gravkims 



This plant is filled with acrid juice 

 which contains a volatile oil that is a powerful stimulant and in 

 large doses acts as a narcotic poison. At one time the stems 

 were employed to sprinkle holy water in the ceremonies of the 

 Catholic Church, which is, perhaps, the explanation of Ophelia's 

 saying, "We may call it herb of grace o' Sundays." 



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