Common rue

Common rue

Rue is a strong-scented perennial herb. It has grey-green bitter-tasting leaves.

Common rue can be grown as a deterrent for cats and is also used as an insect repellent. It’s a herb with a bitter taste. In Ethiopia leaves of common rue are dipped in coffee to give the coffee an additional flavor. Also used as a medicinal plant to improve appetite and digestion.

Rue can be an irritant similar to poison ivy.

Names

Scientific
   Ruta graveolens
English
   Common rue
   Herb-of-Grace
   Rue
Dutch
   Wijnruit
Spanish
   Ruda
French
   Rue des jardiniers
   Rue des jardins
   Rue fétide
   Rue odorante
   Rue officinale
German
   Weinraute
Italian
   Ruta comune

Taxonomy

Genus
   Ruta
Family
   Rutaceae
Order
   Sapindales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

South East Europe

Distribution:

Europe, Ethiopia and worldwide in countries with a temperate climate.

Annual, biennial, or perennial:

Rue is a perennial herb.

Plant

Rue is a herb which grows like a small shrub. The stem is rather woody at the bottom.

Flowers:

The flowers of rue are yellow.

Leaves:

The leaves have a bluish or grey- green color.

Fruits:

The fruit is a capsule with a diameter of about 1 cm.

Climate and weather:

Grows in temperate climates, but the plant is very tolerant to warm and dry weather conditions.

Pollination:

Height:

Rue can be up to 1.2 meters tall

Spacing:

Propagation:

Uses:

Rue is often grown as an ornamental plant.
Common rue can be grown as a deterrent for cats and can be used as an insect repellent.
In Ethiopia leaves of common rue are dipped in coffee to give the coffee an additional flavor.
Rue has also medicinal properties and is used to improve appetite and digestion.
In Italy the plant is used to give taste to grappa (grappa alla ruta).

Proverbs and Quotes

• But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. (Bible, Luke 11:42)

Did you know that?

• Exposure to Rue can cause severe burn-like blisters on the skin, similar to poison ivy.

Crop categories

Herbs
Medicinal plants
Temperate crops

Pictures

Common rue


Common rue


Common rue