| Pentanema squarrosum | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Pentanema |
| Species: | P. squarrosum |
| Binomial name | |
| Pentanema squarrosum (L.) D.Gut.Larr., Santos-Vicente, Anderb., E.Rico & M.M.Mart.Ort. | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Pentanema squarrosum, known as ploughman's-spikenard, [1] is a species of plant in the family Asteraceae found in Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. [2] [3]
It is a tall, hairy plant (to 1.2 m) that grows on calcareous, low-nutrient, well-drained soils. It is a short lived perennial plant. Before flowering, the basal rosette of leaves resembles those of foxgloves. It flowers after mid-summer in Europe, from July to September. [3] When in flower, the plant has many small flowerheads grouped together into a flat-topped structure that resembles a single flowerhead (pseudanthium). The individual flowerheads have prominent yellow disc florets and no (or inconspicuous) ray florets. [4]
The leaves are burned and used as an insecticide and parasiticide, especially against fleas. Even the smell of the plant is flea repellent. When the root is burned, it becomes a useful room scent (it is used this way in Turkey). [5]
