Pulmonaria officinalis
| Pulmonaria officinalis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Boraginales |
| Family: | Boraginaceae |
| Genus: | Pulmonaria |
| Species: | P. officinalis
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| Binomial name | |
| Pulmonaria officinalis | |
| Synonyms | |
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Pulmonaria officinalis, common names lungwort, common lungwort, Mary's tears or Our Lady's milk drops, is a
Etymology
The genus name comes from the Latin pulmo meaning lung and was first used by Leonhart Fuchs (1501–1566), a German physician and one of the three founding fathers of botany. The species was named officinalis by Carl Linnaeus for the medical properties of these plants, used since the Middle Ages to treat coughs and diseases of the chest, because of the doctrine of signatures whereby Christian doctors believed that plants that resemble any body part could be used to treat illnesses in this part since God put his signature in the plant to guide mankind.
Description
The basal leaves are green,
Distribution
This native species is perhaps the most widespread plant in Europe. It is distributed west in the
Habitat
Pulmonaria officinalis is an understorey species. It grows in deciduous and beech mixed forests from the lowlands to the mountains. It prefers fresh and shady areas, nutrient-rich and mostly calcareous, stony or pure clay loam soils, at an altitude of 0–1,500 meters (0–4,921 ft) above sea level. As a spring geophyte it starts its vegetative period before full foliation of the tree storey. During this time, it is exposed to high solar radiation, which presents a potential danger for the plant. After leaf out, the amount of solar radiation decreases. The plant is adapted to changing conditions with efficient protective and repair mechanisms (morphological characteristics of leaves, epidermal structure, UV-B absorbing substances). After foliation, the amount of photosynthetic pigments in plant leaves slightly increases due to less sunlight available. On the contrary, the UV-B absorbing substances (flavonoids and anthocyanins) are significantly reduced after foliation.
Gallery
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Illustration of Pulmonaria officinalis from Flora von Deutschland, 1885 -
Plant of Pulmonaria officinalis -
Close-up on flowers of Pulmonaria officinalis -
Flowers of Pulmonaria officinalis -
Flowers of Pulmonaria officinalis -
Flowers of Pulmonaria officinalis
References
- . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- "Pulmonaria officinalis". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on September 7, 2005. Retrieved 2006-05-01.
- Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia – Edagricole – 1982, Vol. II, pag. 407
- Tutin, T.G. et al. - Flora Europaea, second edition - 1993
External links
