Pulicaria odora (L.) Reichenb.
Syn. Inula odora L.
pulicaria dysenterica (L.) Bernh.
Syn. dysenteric inula
A perennial plant common throughout Europe, Asia and Africa.In recent years its populations have been declining in several parts of Europe and it is included in the endangered species lists of some countries. It loves moist, shady places and can grow up to a metre in length. In drier places the plant is a good indicator that there is water near the soil surface.The lower leaves are large fuzzy while the upper leaves are smaller and close to the stem. The flowers have a large striking greenish-yellow disk that develops before the many thin petals.
The name is derived from the Latin pulex-pulicis = louse since the plant is thought to repel the specific bug.Perhaps the similarity of its seeds to the louse led to the association. In the old days they used to burn the plant and use the smoke to remove pesky insects. The common name psyllium and the English fleabane refer to its insect-repellent properties.
The epithet dysenterica from the Greek dysenteria ( against ~) was given by Linnaeus after a friend of his, a Russian general, informed him that the plant was used to fight an epidemic of dysenteria in the Russian army, with success.
The adjective odora, from the Latin odor-odoris = odor, was given to the species apparently because of the characteristic pleasant soapy smell that the leaves give off when rubbed.
The rhizome of the plant has disinfectant properties.
More recent research confirms that the plant contains insect repellent, fungicidal and antimicrobial substances.
