Although common names are part of the tradition of the towns, the truth is that they often create a lot of confusion since it is not uncommon for the same popular name to be used to refer to two or more plants that have nothing to do with each other. Therefore, if you want to know what is known in some areas as toxo, below you will be able to discover one with a great ornamental value.
Although it has medicinal properties that I will now tell you, the toxo plant produces so many flowers that its beauty almost "weighs" more than its medicinal use. Anyway, I'm going to tell you everything about it so you can enjoy it to the fullest.
Origin and characteristics
Our protagonist is a thorny shrubby plant whose scientific name is Ulex europaeus which is popularly known as prickly broom, espinillo, argoma, toxo or gorse. It is native to Europe. It reaches a height of 4 meters, and has a rounded shape. It does not have leaves as such, but has foliar spines that are called (leaves that have become thorns), the longest measuring up to 4cm. The flowers are small, 1cm, of a very striking yellow color. It blooms from late winter to spring.
He loves the sun; in fact, you need it for proper development. This causes the lower branches, those that are hidden by the upper ones, to dry out quickly. The problem is that they remain on the plant for a long time, causing a build-up of necrotic organic matter that burns easily. It is for this reason that it is considered harmful.
How do you take care of yourself?
If you want to get a copy, we recommend providing the following care:
- Location: it must be outside, in full sun.
- Earth:
- Pot: universal growing substrate.
- Garden: it is indifferent as long as it has good drainage.
- Irrigation: 2-3 times a week in summer, somewhat less the rest of the year.
- Subscriber: in spring and summer you can add a little organic compost. It is important that it is liquid if it is in a pot, since this way the drainage will continue to be good.
- Planting or transplanting time: in spring.
- Pruning: it is very, very necessary to remove the dry, diseased or weak branches as you see them.
- Multiplication: by seeds in spring.
- Rusticity: supports frosts down to -10ºC.
What are its medicinal uses?
Toxo flowers are infused as a tea. Take a handful of them and put them in a cup of boiling water. Then, you only have to take one to three cups a day, after the main meals.
The seeds should not be consumed if it is not under the supervision of a doctor, as they could make us feel bad.
What properties does it have?
Is used as cardiotonic y against migraine.
What did you think of the toxo plant?
Very interesting, we have it everywhere and I did not know anything about it ... thank you very much
Thanks to you 🙂
One of the great debates around "Toxo" is the name of its flower. Some dictionaries cite it as "chorima" although it is also said to call this the flower of the broom or even the rosemary. Much more debate provokes the possibility of calling the "toxo" flower by the name of "alecrín". As if that weren't enough, the well-known song by Pilocha entitled "Alecrín" says: Alecrín alecrín dourado, who was born not to mount without being semiar "..." Ai amor, what did he say to you, that a flor do toxo, was he or alecrín? ... it leaves the possibilities even more open.
What would be your opinion about it?
Liqueur is made with its flowers, toxo liquor, great, homemade winter antidepressant 😉
Thanks for commenting 🙂