Family: Urticaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl. ed. 2: 1492 (1763)
Year: 1763
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Parietaria
Vegetable: False
Observations: Macaronesia, N. Africa, Europe to C. Asia and C. Himalaya
Description
The Rusty-back, scientifically known as Parietaria judaica, is a fascinating plant species noted for its widespread presence and adaptability. Described initially by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in the second edition of his seminal work, “Species Plantarum,” dated 1763, this plant has captured the interest of botanists and plant enthusiasts for centuries.
Belonging to the Urticaceae family, Parietaria judaica is a member of a widely recognized group of plants, often referred to as the nettle family. Characterized by their herbaceous nature, plants in this family often possess unique features that make them both intriguing and distinctive.
The Rusty-back thrives in diverse geographic regions, showcasing its remarkable adaptability. Its natural habitat spans across Macaronesia, Northern Africa, Europe, extending all the way to Central Asia and the Central Himalayas. This broad distribution highlights the plant’s ability to grow in various environmental conditions, from the mild climates of Macaronesia and Mediterranean regions to the more rugged and variable climates of Central Asia and the Himalayan foothills.
One key aspect of Parietaria judaica’s adaptability is its resilience in various habitats. It often grows in arid and semi-arid regions, thriving on rocky grounds, walls, and old buildings, where few other plants can establish themselves. This hardiness makes the Rusty-back a vital species in erosion control and habitat stabilization, contributing significantly to its ecosystem.
In addition to its ecological importance, Parietaria judaica’s unique characteristics make it easy to identify. It often has small, oval-shaped leaves and bears tiny, inconspicuous flowers, which blend into its surroundings and contribute to its common name. As a member of the Urticaceae family, the plant also possesses hairs that can cause skin irritation upon contact, although it is less aggressive in this regard compared to other nettles.
Overall, the Rusty-back stands out as a notable plant both for its widespread presence and its remarkable adaptability to diverse environments. Its success in various regions from Macaronesia to the Himalayas underscores its ecological versatility and resilience, making it a species of considerable interest in botanical studies.
Common Names
Deu: mauer-glaskraut, niederliegendes glaskraut, ästiges glaskraut
Dan: nedliggende springknap
Eng: spreading pellitory, pellitory-of-the-wall, wall pellitory
Nob: blidnesle
Nno: blidnesle
Ces: drnavec palestínský
Swe: grenig väggört, rentomuuriyrtti, vägg-gröna, väggört
Nld: klein glaskruid
Fra: pariétaire diffuse
Fin: rentomuuriyrtti
Hun: ágas falgyom
Cym: barthlys, canhauol, canheuol, canlafol, cantafod, llysiau’r pared, murlwyn, murlys, paladr y pared, paladr y wal, pared y mur, paredlys, paredlys cyffredin, paredys, pelydr y cerrig, pelydr y gwelydd, perthylys
En: Rusty-back, Scaly spleenwort, Scale fern, Parietaria judaica, Rustyback, Rusty-Back Fern
Nl: Schubvaren
Fi: Hilseraunioinen
It: Cedracca comune
Cy: Dueg-Redynen Feddygol, Duegredynen Gefngoch, Rhedyn yr Ogofau, Rhedynen Gefngoch
: Spreading pellitory
Synonyms
- Parietaria officinalis subsp. judaica ((L.) Bég.)
- Parietaria officinalis var. judaica ((L.) Hochr.)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- Egypt (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Nepal (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Spain (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Turkmenistan (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Austria (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Chile Central (introduced)
- Czechoslovakia (introduced)
- Denmark (introduced)
- Finland (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Hungary (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Louisiana (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- Norway (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
- South Australia (introduced)
- Sweden (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Uruguay (introduced)
- Victoria (introduced)
- Western Australia (introduced)
- Yemen (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leaf
Taken Dec 30, 2019 by waness (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 26, 2020 by plantafou11 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2020 by Gomez Luis (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 25, 2020 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 16, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jun 1, 1991 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Taken Feb 26, 2020 by plantafou11 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 16, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 26, 2020 by plantafou11 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 25, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Dominique Martineau (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5361801)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:854934-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ceterach officinarum Willd.)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5275006)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 7.5
Light: 5
Atmospheric humidity: 4
Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]
Soil nutriments: 7