Parietaria judaica

Parietaria judaica, spreading pellitory, is a species of herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, and is widely established worldwide as an urban weed. Its pollen is a significant cause of asthma and other allergies in warmer countries, but it is also valued as a contributor to biodiversity in polluted cities and it has been used as a medicinal herb.

Description

A perennial herb which grows 60 cm tall. It spreads to 60 cm across. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. The leaves are oval and have hairs on the veins underneath. The flowers are green and in clusters in the axils of the leaves. The flowers are either male or female and borne on the same plant.

Edible Uses

The young plant can be eaten raw or cooked, and the young shoots make a good addition to mixed salads.

Traditional Uses

The young shoots are eaten raw or cooked.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Pellitory of the wall has been valued for over 2,000 years as a diuretic, a soother of chronic coughs, and a balm for wounds and burns. European herbal medicine regards it as having a restorative action on the kidneys, supporting and strengthening their function. The whole herb, gathered in flower, is cholagogue, slightly demulcent, diuretic, laxative, refrigerant, and vulnerary. It is an effective remedy for kidney and bladder stones and urinary complaints such as cystitis and nephritis. It should not be prescribed to people with hay fever or other allergic conditions. The leaves can be applied externally as a poultice on wounds and have a soothing effect on simple burns and scalds. The plant is harvested when flowering and can be used fresh or dried.

Known Hazards

Should not be prescribed to people with hay fever or other allergic conditions.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows on hedgebanks and dry walls. It does best in an alkaline soil. It grows in well drained to dry soils and can grow in full sun or light shade. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. Hobart Botanical Gardens 1

Where It Grows

Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Britain, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, Europe*, France, Haiti, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, New Zealand, Palestine, Paraguay, Sicily, South America, Spain, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, West Indies,

Cultivation

Prefers a well-drained to dry alkaline soil in full sun or semi-shade. The plant grows well on drystone walls. This plant is sometimes erroneously called P. officinalis. The true P. officinalis. L. is an European plant that is not found in Britain, P. judaica is its British representative. The pollen of this plant is one of the earliest and most active of the hay fever allergens. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring or autumn in a cold frame. Prick out seedlings when large enough to handle and plant out in summer. If sufficient seed is available, sow in situ in autumn or spring. Divide in spring — larger divisions can go directly into permanent positions, while smaller divisions are better potted up and grown on in light shade in a cold frame until well established before planting out in late spring or early summer.

Other Uses

The whole plant is used for cleaning windows and copper containers.

Notes

There are about 20 Parietaria species.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Erva-de-santaana, Hierba de los gatos, Hierba de los muros, Parietaire, Parietaria, Pellitory-of-the-wall, Quebra-paredes, Spreading Pellitory, Wila itapallo, Yerba de las murallas

References (16)

• Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 35
• Cordero, S. E., Abello, L. A., & Galvez, F. L., 2017, Plantas silvestres comestibles y medicinales de Chile y otras partes del mundo. CORMA p 214
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 986
• Dashorst, G.R.M., and Jessop, J.P., 1998, Plants of the Adelaide Plains & Hills. Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium. p 48
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 243 (As Parietaria officinalis)

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