Ferula assa-foetida (PROSEA)
Introduction |
- Family: Umbelliferae
Synonyms
- Ferula rubicaulis Boissier,
- F. pseudalliacea Rech.f.,
- Narthex polakii Stapf & Wettst.
Vernacular names
The gum
- asafoetida (En), hing (En, India)
- Laos: maha hing
Distribution
Endemic to western and south-western Iran. Occasionally cultivated elsewhere.
Uses
The gum extracted from the stem and the root used to be an important trade commodity used as a condiment in food since it has a very persistent garlic-like odour. Medicinally it is used to cure hysteria and as a vermifuge. In the United States the regulatory status "generally recognized as safe” has been accorded to asafoetida fluid extract (GRAS 2106), asafoetida gum (GRAS 2107) and asafoetida oil (GRAS 2108).
Observations
- Perennial, glabrous herb, up to 2 m tall and stem up to 7.5 cm in diameter at the base. When wounded the plant exudes a white, sticky sap, which soon turns red-yellow.
- Upper leaf sheath about 9 cm × 4 cm; basal leaves 3-4-ternate-pinnate, 3-3.5 cm × 1.5-2.5 cm; ultimate segments up to 2.5 cm × 2 cm, simple to pinnatisect.
- Inflorescence a globose panicle, composed of umbels; flowers 20-25 per umbellule; petals 5, yellow, about 1.5 mm long.
- Fruiting umbels with 10-50 rays, rays 3-5 cm long; mericarp 11-14 mm × 7-9 mm, with 2 mm wide wings.
F. assa-foetida grows in dry, stony locations, up to 100 m altitude. To collect the gum the stem is removed and a collection trench dug around the root. Incisions are made in the root and the whole is covered to prevent undue desiccation. Every 3-4 days the gum is collected and the tapping process repeated. The gum consists of a mixture of about 30% resin, 25-50% gum and 6-9% essential oil. Two other Ferula species produce a similar gum, originate from neighbouring areas and are often confused with F. assa-foetida: F. foetida (Bunge) Regel and F. narthex Boissier. It is unclear whether these species are of interest for South-East Asia.
Selected sources
- Chamberlain, D.F., 1977. The identity of Ferula assa-foetida L. Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 35(2): 229-233.
- Hegi, G., 1906-1931. Illustrierte Flora von Mitteleuropa [Illustrated flora of Central Europe]. 7 volumes. Lehmanns Verlag, München, Germany. (2nd and 3rd editions, 1935- .)
Authors
P.C.M. Jansen