Prasjum majus

Prasjum majus

The aromatic plant Prasium majus (The Siciliano) is a perennial belonging to the Lamiaceae family, coming from the center of the Mediterranean, it can reach 1 meter in length. Ornamental plant for adaptability to the Mediterranean climate and the beauty of its flowers. It is used in cooking, rich in vitamin E, has antioxidant properties.

Systematic –
The Prasium majus belongs to the Domain Eukariota, the Kingdom Plantae, the Division Magnoliophyta, Order Lamiales, Lamiaceae Family, Gender Prasium and then the species P. majus.
The genus includes Prasium only this species.

Etymology –
The name of Prasium kind is of uncertain origin, perhaps from the greek “prason” = stone or agate green, with probable reference to the bright green particularly its leaves, while the species name comes from the Latin majus = greater, bigger.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
It grows in places Garrigue, rocks or sedimentary nature of soils ranges coasts and sea cliffs, from 0 to 600 m. Its greater prenza is still in the limestone cliffs and garigues in the vicinity of the sea.

Description –
Plant suffruticosa 30-100 cm high proximal semirampicante with woody stems with bark gray-yellowish fissured longitudinally; distal branches herbaceous quadrangular section, normally hairless, red or tinged with violet; opposite leaves ovate to lance-shaped serrated edge, petioles, glossy and some ‘leathery, dark green, deciduous; verticillastri compounds from 2 close flowers with bracts lanceolate-acuminate; white corolla or more or less purplish approximately 2 cm long with upper lip bifid apex, the lower three-lobed, central lobe broad; and stamens protruding stylus; the fruit is made up of 2 mericarpi blacks like small drupes.
Plant-bearing shrub lianoso present in the environment of the coastal Mediterranean but also in the inner areas, vegeta, indifferent to the substrate, up to 600 m altitude.

Cultivation –
The cultivation can be done by playing for seed in the nursery and the subsequent planting in open field of young seedlings.
Like all calciofile species it is preferable to choose calcareous soils having however care to assist the seedling with both organic fertilizers integrations that with careful irrigations during the first phase of their vegetation.
Are however of woody plants with perennial gems placed between 20 cm and 2 m above the ground you can also think of using these parts for the subsequent diffusion and reproduction of plants.
For its peculiarities is a plant that is particularly attenzionata for its possible introduction in the farms which species adjunct of corporate biodiversity and the possibility of an income support. In fact, being a plant rather rustic and perennial does not require special attention if not the traditional ones.

Customs and Traditions –
It is a plant mellifera, therefore very useful in the increase in bee populations.
The branches of Prasium majus was once used in agriculture as ties to secure the young woody plants guardians poles.
The Prasium majus may also find use in the kitchen and is considered a very rich plant alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) and good anti-oxidant capacity.
The plant is also grown for ornamental purposes: the only drawback is the premature fall of the leaves.

Preparation Mode –
The same nomenclature is to understand how it was used, especially in the past, in place of the traditional, especially among those people who, for economic reasons, could not afford the traditional one.
The preparation mode of Prasjum majus (Camedrio or white) is quite similar to that of the known. It is very aromatic and is an interesting expansion of research of its applications.
The leaves are also used for infusions and decoctions for the diuretic effect against kidney stones.
They are still significant its potential applications in the kitchen (contains, as mentioned, a lot of vitamin E) that must be implemented careful research of its peculiarities alimurgiche and medicinal.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– Treben M., 2000. The Health from the Pharmacy of the Lord, tips and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Publisher
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.

Please note: Pharmaceutical applications and alimurgici uses are indicated for information purposes only, do not represent in any way a medical prescription; it accepts no liability on their use for therapeutic purposes, cosmetic or food.