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Ruta graveolens

Ave Grace · Common Rue · Countryman's Tracle

Family RutaceaeGenus Ruta

Clusters of yellow flowers and round green lobed seed pods on a branching plant with blue-gray leaves
Flowermister_bumbleCC0
A plate of rue: yellow cupped flowers above blue-green leaves cut into rounded lobes, with dissected flowers, seed capsules and black seeds around it.
IllustrationFranz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-PflanzenPublic domain

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Herb, Herbaceous PerennialExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
subshrubPlants of the World Online
Height
2-3 ft60-90 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
2-3 ft60-90 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Gold/YellowExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Fall, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Albania, Bulgaria, Krym, NW. Balkan Pen., Türkiye-in-EuropeGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
4-10Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Rue can cause severe phytophotodermatitis: burn-like blisters on skin exposed to light. Graveolens refers to its strong-smelling leaves. Wikipedia: Ruta graveolens
  • Ophelia hands out rue in Hamlet. Until 1918 the highest order of the Kingdom of Saxony was the Order of the Rue Crown. Wikipedia: Ruta graveolens

Two sources report three treatments between them. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around February 22, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

Germination happens during step 1, in 42 days.

100% germination in 28–42 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Ruta p. 59Public domain
Show the original text
Ruta (Rutaceae). Data is now complete. R. graveolens germ. 70D(100% in 2-4 d) and 40(100% in 4-6 w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Ruta p. 59. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around April 1, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 4 days to germinate.

100% germination in 2–4 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Ruta p. 59Public domain
Show the original text
Ruta (Rutaceae). Data is now complete. R. graveolens germ. 70D(100% in 2-4 d) and 40(100% in 4-6 w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Ruta p. 59. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around April 1, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 4 days to germinate.

95% germination in 2–4 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Ruta p. 73Public domain
Show the original text
Ruta (Rutaceae). R. graveolens germ. 70D(95% in 2-4 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Ruta p. 73. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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