Galega officinalis - Goat's Rue

Family:	Leguminosae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.2
Width:	0.75
Synonyms:	G. bicolor. G. persica. G. tricolor.
Range:	S. Europe to W. Asia. Naturalized in S. Britain.

Galega officinalis (Goat's Rue) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.2m and a width of 0.75m . It has a fast growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 4.
Goat's Rue will flower in December to January. the seeds ripen from February
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Goat's Rue will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Goat's Rue prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Goat's Rue can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Scrub, woods, marshy fields and roadsides[187].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Suits a meadow

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils but repays generous treatment[1, 200]. Prefers full sun and a deep moist soil[1, 4] but it also succeeds in light shade[200]. Grows well even in poor soils[233]. Plants are very tolerant of neglect and can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[233, 238]. A long-lived plant[1], it can be invasive in good growing conditions[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Leaves - cooked[2]. Used like spinach[177, 183]. Some caution is advised due to reports of possible toxicity. The herb is used as a substitute for rennet in curdling plant milks etc[183].

• Curdling agent - used to curdle soya milk in making cheese.
• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
Goat's rue was once important in the treatment of plague, fevers and infectious diseases[238]. It is still used in modern herbalism, though mainly for its effect in promoting milk-flow in lactating mothers (it has been shown to increase the flow of milk in cows and goats by 35 - 50%[4, 7, 238]) and for its positive effect on the digestive system[238]. The plant contains galegine, an alkaloid that strongly reduces blood sugar levels which make it useful in the treatment of diabetes[254]. The leaves and flowering tops are diaphoretic, diuretic, galactogogue and hypoglycaemic[4, 7, 21, 165]. It has also been used in the treatment of fevers[4, 7]. It is taken internally to treat insufficient lactation, late-onset diabetes, pancreatitis and digestive problems, especially chronic constipation caused by a lack of digestive enzymes[238]. The plant is harvested as it is just coming into flower and is dried for later use[4]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity.

• Diaphoretic - Induces perspiration.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Galactogogue - Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.
• Hypoglycaemic - Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow the seed in spring or autumn in a cold frame[111, 200]. Spring-sown seed can be slow to germinate, a period of cold stratification may improve the germination time. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. If you have sufficient seed, then it is possible to sow outdoors in situ in mid to late spring. Division in spring or autumn[111]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Known Hazards

A few reports exist, none of them in Britain, of toxicity to mammals[76], though the plant is often fed to cows and goats in order to increase their milk yield[238].

Other Uses

A fast-growing plant, it makes a good green manure crop, enriching the soil with organic matter and also fixing atmospheric nitrogen[7]. The plant is used cosmetically in hand and foot bathes[7].

• Cosmetic - Used to improve the physicalappearence of a person.
• Green manure - Fast-growing plants that can be used to increase the fertility of the soil.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.