Dictamnus hispanicus

English: Burning Bush - False Dittany - White Dittany - Gas Plant - Fraxinella
Nederlands: Vuurwerkplant - Essenkruid
Español: Tarraguillo - Gitam - Hierba gitanera - Fresnillo - Dictamo - Timón real
Français: Fraxinelle - Petit frêne - Buisson ardent
Deutsch: Aschwurz - Brennender Busch - Weisser Diptam

Family: Rutaceae - Rue family
Flowering time: May-July
Height: 30-100cm
Altitude: to 1300m
Colour: pink, pale purple, white; dark veins
Flower: five-petalled, 10 long projecting stamens
Leaves: resemble those of an ash tree
Habitat: warm, open woodland habitats
Distribution: southwest of the Iberian Peninsula
Synonym: Dictamnus albus





Notes: Dictamnus hispanicus has a very fragrant, lemony aroma. This perennial plant secretes volatile oils that may turn the air around it inflamable in hot and still weather. All plant parts of Burning Bush are slightly toxic and may irritate the skin. Dictamnus albus has several geographical variants of which Dictamnus hispanicus in the southwestern part of the Iberian Peninsula is an example. It is a rare species in the different geographical zones where it occurs. Some people collect parts of this plant that can be used as one of the ingredients of anisette. This consitutes a serious threat for this species. Numerous varieties and cultivars have been selected for garden use.

Related key words: El Hervidero, Sierra Nevada, Granada, Andalucía, Andalusia, Andalusië, Anís estrellado