Gasplant
Dictamnus albus
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sinai, Spain, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Jörg Hempel
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rutaceae
- Genus:
- Dictamnus
- Species:
- Dictamnus albus
- USDA Symbol:
- DIAL4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes), Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Eastern Giant (Heraclides cresphontes)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- The plant produces volatile oils that can ignite on hot days, giving it the common name 'gas plant' or 'burning bush.' It resprouts from deep taproots after fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Prefers sunny locations with protection from strong winds
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Germination is slow and erratic; fresh seed germinates best. May require double dormancy in some cases.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C for 3 weeks, then place @ 20C.