MATAGALLO (phlomis purpurea)

	M
	MATAGALLO
	*phlomis purpurea*

Name
MATAGALLO

Scientific Name
phlomis purpurea

MATAGALLO

English: Jerusalem sage.

Family: Labiadas.

Description: shrub siempreverde, of quadrangular branches and blanquecinas by the presence of a felt of short hairs, opposed leaves, with pecíolo short and rectangular-lanceolado limb, great amount of hairs, green dark by the beam and blanquecinas by envés.

Flowers that appear in groups in the knots at the end of the branches, chalice finishing in 5 teeth, pink, great corola, that form two lips, the superior one strongly curved.

Dry fruit that appears divided in 4 globosas and dark parts

History and uses: Matagallo was and is one of the recognized plants in the world of the plants with multiple properties more. The Greeks in the antiquity already used it and had knowledge of their properties, of there the name of their sort of Greek origin phlomis derived from phlox, "calls", since with his coiled leaves they made the wicks for the oil lamps of oil.

Like other pelosas plants like olivarda (viscous Dittrichia) or the white steppe (Cistus albidus), was used like estropajo to wash and to remove "roña" from the skin. The leaves were used like substitute of the tobacco and the flowers, rich in honey, became lean as treat reason why also is called "chupadera" or "melera to him". Among other curativas properties the one of antihemorroidal is attributed to him, very diurética astringent and. Matagallo is included in a well-known local syrup prescription against resfriado and the cough that is elaborated mainly with dry higos, malvavisco (Lavatera maritima), carob beans, rinds of almonds, flower of olive tree and shirt of snake. It is used like grass and fuel, important aspect since there is to make rational and sustainable a use not to eradicate its natural populations. It is a pretty plant as ornamental and in the Botanical Garden "the Albardinal" you will be able to see it in the sector of scrubs of matagallo, along with white steppe (Cistus albidus), crown (juncea Crown), romero... and other typical plants of semi-arid scrubs.

Taken from

Botanical Garden "The Albardinal"

www.cabodegata.net

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