White upright mignonette (Reseda alba, Sp. Pl.: 449 (1753))

Family: Resedaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 449 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Reseda

Vegetable: False

Observations: Medit. to Iran and Eritrea

Description

White upright mignonette, scientifically known as Reseda alba, is a species that holds a significant place in the diverse plant family Resedaceae. This perennial herbaceous plant was first documented in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, whose work laid the foundation for modern botanical nomenclature and classification.

Reseda alba boasts a particularly graceful appearance with its slender, erect stems and delicate clusters of white flowers. These flowers are arranged in a spike-like inflorescence, giving the plant its distinctive and appealing upright form. The foliage consists of deeply lobed, almost fern-like leaves that provide a soft, lacy backdrop to the blooms.

This species has a broad native range that extends from the Mediterranean region across to Iran, and down to Eritrea. Its adaptability to a variety of climates and soils has allowed it to thrive in these diverse locales. White upright mignonette is commonly found in habitats such as dry grasslands, rocky slopes, and open spaces where it can receive plenty of sunlight.

One of the remarkable aspects of Reseda alba is its historical and ecological significance. In traditional Mediterranean medicine, parts of the plant have been used for their purported healing properties. Additionally, its flowers are a known attractant for pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which makes it a valuable plant for maintaining ecological balance and supporting biodiversity in its native regions.

In summary, Reseda alba is not only visually appealing with its pristine white blooms and elegant form but also plays an important role in traditional uses and ecological systems across its native range.

Common Names

Dan: hvid reseda
Deu: weiße resede
Eng: white mignonette, white upright mignonette, upright mignonette, white cut-leaved mignonette
Lav: balt
Hun: fehér rezeda
Nob: hvitreseda
Nno: kvitreseda
Ces: rýt bílý
Fin: valkoreseda
Swe: valkoreseda, vitreseda
Nld: witte reseda
Fra: réséda blanc, mignonnette blanche
Cym: melengu gwyn unionsyth, melengu wen, melengu wen unionsyth, melyngu gwyn unionsyth
En: White upright mignonette, White mignonette, Upright Mignonette, White cut-leaved mignonette
Ar: خزامه (خُزامه، خَزامه، خِزامه), بليحاء بيضاء
Az: Ağ əspərək
Ca: Capironat, Coa de moix, Enturió, Pebre d’ase
Zh: 白木犀草
Cs: Rýt bílý
Da: Hvid reseda
Nl: Witte reseda
Fi: Valkoreseda
Fr: Réséda blanc, Mignonnette blanche
De: Weiße Resede, Weißer Wau
He: רכפה לבנה
Hu: Fehér rezeda
It: Erba ruchetta, Reseda bianca, Erba-ruchetta
Lv: Balt
Nb: Hvitreseda
Nn: Kvitreseda
Sk: Rezeda biela
Es: Reseda blanca
Sv: Vitreseda, Valkoreseda
Cy: Melengu wen, Melengu Gwyn Unionsyth, Melengu Wen Unionsyth, Melyngu Gwyn Unionsyth

Synonyms

• Eresda alba ((L.) Spach)
• Reseda alba var. hexapetala (DC. ex Müll.Arg.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 27, 2022 by Sarah Marthaler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2021 by Veronique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2018 by Joaquin Rodríguez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2021 by angela patrizia denitto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2022 by Carlo Tognoni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by VikCastle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 18, 2022 by Dan Castello (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2022 by Yves SPM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Habit

Taken May 29, 2021 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2022 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2022 by Yves SPM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 18, 2022 by Dan Castello (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 10, 2020 by Torres Llorenç (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Dec 29, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Pierre CROUZET (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2020 by B G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 10, 2020 by Pokotilo Olga (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2021 by Maria G. (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 29, 2018 by bazza94 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2019 by Faïza AIOUANI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 3, 2018 by Cosseddu Antonella (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2018 by Kees Verhoek (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2021 by padrós toni (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3040254)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:715421-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Reseda alba L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 3