Dame's Rocket(Hesperis matronalis)
Other Names:
Dame's gilliflower, dame's-violet, dames-wort, damask-violet
Range: (Naturalized Non-Native)
Family:
Brassicaceae – Mustard family
Growth Type:
A flowering biennial
Height:
Can grow up to 3-1/2 feet tall
Leaves:
Toothed, lanceolate, leaves arranged alternately along the stem. Leaves nearer the top of the stem have little or no petiole. Leaves lower on the plant stem become wider at the base, and have a longer petiole. Both the top and bottom of the leaves have short hairs, giving them a somewhat rough feeling texture.
Stem/Trunk:
Multiple upright hairy stems
Root:
Fleshy taproot
Flower Season:
Early to mid-spring
Flower Appearance:
Like all members of the mustard family, Dame's rocket has showy 4 petaled flowers with 4 sepals. They range in color from white to purplish, with most being pink or shades of lavender. The many fragrant, showy, flowers are produced on terminal racemes that can be up to a foot tall. These racemes tend to elongate as more and more flowers bloom. Individual flowers can be up to an inch across. The 4 petals are hairless. Each flower has 6 stamens arranged in 2 groups.
Seed/Fruit:
Seeds are produced in thin fruits 5–14 cm long pods, containing two rows of seeds separated by a dimple. The fruit are terete and open by way of glabrous valves, constricted between the seeds like a pea pod. Seeds are oblong, 3–4 mm long and 1–1.5 mm wide.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
Because both genus have similarly colored, showy flower clusters, Hesperis matronalis and Phlox species are often confused. Their similarities are only superficial. They can be distinguished from each other by foliage and flower differences: dame's rocket has alternately arranged leaves and four petals per flower, while phloxes have opposite leaves and five petals.
Habitat:
Rich soils of fields, forest margins, un-tended gardens, and lawn edges
Parts Used:
Young leaves, flowers
Culinary Uses:
Dame's rocket is closely related to arugula, and like arugula, the young leaves make an excellent salad green. The tasty flowers, can also be eaten raw in salads. Be careful not to eat too many olders leaves, as they can have an emetic action.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Bitter
Thermal: Warming
Humidity: Drying
Medicinal Uses:
Dame’s rocket has been used to induce sweating, promote urination, and loosen a cough. The leaves are rich in vitamin C and have been used to treat or prevent scurvy. As with all things, moderation is best, as in A Modern Herbal (1931), Maud Grieve wrote that “a strong dose will cause vomiting".
Cautions According To WebMD
Possible Side Effects:
When eaten in large quantities, the leaves can be emetic
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Medicinal Actions:
Antiscorbutic,
Antitusive,
Diaphoretic,
Diuretic,
Emetic
Herbal Preparations For Hesperis matronalis
Tea
Part Used: Leaves
Plant State: Fresh or dried
Place 2 tsp of fresh chopped leaves, or 1 tsp of dried leaves in a large mug. Pour almost boiling water over the leaves. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain to remove sediment.
Dosage: Enjoy a mug as needed
Infusion
Part Used: Whole above ground flowering plant
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of the fresh chopped plant material into a quart mason jar, and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-4 oz As Needed