Butcher's broom pontic: description, habitat, useful properties, application. Butcher's needle - a unique healing relic
Latin name: Ruscus
Family: Asparagus (Asparagaceae)
Homeland: Crimean peninsula, Mediterranean, Caucasus
Interesting information about the spectacular needle
Butcher's-broom (Ruskus) - a genus of evergreen semi-shrubs, shrubs and perennial herbs, most recently predetermined its belonging to the Asparagus family, the asparagus order. Until some time, the butcher's genus had its own family of needles, and according to some sources, it was included in the Lilein family. It is better for botanists to know where to attribute this genus, because they approach each plant genus individually.
Unusual and beautiful name plant is scientifically translated from Anglo-Saxon (an early form of English) and means "box". The needle flower also has other names - it is ruskus, and the people call it a mousethorn, a butcher's broom.
The butcher's genus includes about ten species of plants. The natural habitat for the comfortable growth of the needle plant is the oak and pine forests of Europe, the Caucasus, the Crimea, the South of Russia, Great Britain, the Mediterranean, where they hide in the shade from the bright sun.
These evergreen shrubs and shrubs reach a meter height, have a creeping rhizome of a greenish-gray color. A distinctive feature of the butcher's needle is an unusual altered appearance of erect, furrowed stems with rough ribs, called phylloclades. The needle leaves are not even noticeable at first glance - small, scaly, similar to thin transparent films. Iglitsa dioecious plant. Small inconspicuous flowers on female specimens grow from below phylloclades, of course, if a male plant grows nearby. And only then will orange-red spherical-shaped two-seeded berries up to 10 mm in diameter appear on the needle
Iglitsa indoor plant very effective and unpretentious. It can be grown as a small bush and even wait for the fruits. And this beauty will boldly fit into the interior, both apartments and office space. It would be especially bold to see the needle as a Christmas talisman. The tree itself is very similar to a Christmas tree, and charming red berries are like Christmas tree decorations. The hard dark green branches of the butcher's needle look very attractive when creating flower arrangements.
Ruscus species
Butcher's broom, it is prickly needle or prickly needle (Ruscus aculeatus)
Perennial plant, reaching a little over half a meter in height. Small inconspicuous flowers occupy the lower part of the leaf-shaped pointed phyllocladium. In late autumn, on the female bushes, if there are male individuals in the neighborhood, you can see red berries suitable for eating. Inside the beautiful fruits are two or three seeds. They even prepared a coffee surrogate from them.
The favorite area of \u200b\u200bgrowth of the butcher's broom is the mountain ranges of the western part of Europe. This frost-resistant species is widely cultivated in the south of Russia, on the Crimean peninsula, in the Caucasus and in European countries. Butcher's broom Pontic Red Book has expanded thanks to her list valuable plants requiring protection.
Butcher's broom its healing properties have been known for a very long time. In the distant past, the hard root of the plant was used, given its antibacterial properties, to clean butcher's boards. Since then, the name "butcher's broom" has stuck to the needle.
Butcher's needle (Ruscus colchicus)
You can hear other names of the Colchis needle - horse tongue, butcher's whisk.
In nature, it prefers moist clayey and loamy soil of deciduous and coniferous forests of the Caucasus, and is also found on the southern coast of the Crimean Peninsula.
Butcher's needle is a low plant up to 60 cm tall with erect stems covered with pointed oblong large phylloclades. On the underside, they are decorated with inflorescences in the autumn-winter period. late spring large, up to 10 mm in diameter, bright red fruits ripen.
Butcher's broom is a medicinal plant. In its rhizomes there is an active substance used in medicines for the treatment of blood vessels.
This type of needle is listed in the Red Book, it is on the verge of extinction due to misuse by people, excessive cutting of more than 4-5 pagons from a bush. As a result, the plant dies. Beautiful branches of butcher's broom are used to make bouquets and flower arrangements, even for brooms. Local residents use Colchis butcher's broom for animal feed.
Ruscus sublingual (Ruscus hypoglossum)
This undersized perennial reaches a height of 40 cm. Its modified stems are leathery, an order of magnitude larger than the phylloclades of the Pontian needle.
Grows on the southern coast of the Crimean peninsula. Here it was listed in the Red Book. The plant is also widespread in Europe, the Mediterranean, on the Balkan Peninsula, in Asia. It prefers to grow in moist shady forests, on rocks, between pebbles, performing a soil protection function.
Ruscus Italian
It differs from other varieties of needles. This plant has chic graceful emerald foliage on tall, thin, graceful stems. Thanks to this, Ruscus Italian found its application in the work of florists. Ruscus needle looks great in flower arrangements and a variety of bouquets, keeping their excellent lush shape and freshness for a long time.
Needle care at home
The needle is very hardy and it is absolutely not difficult to care for it. The main criterion for the excellent and intensive growth of the plant, which occurs in the butcher's in the spring, is the provision of appropriate care. And if you want to see your unusual needle cheerful, create suitable conditions for it.
Choice of location and temperature
by the most the best option for needles in the summer - windows facing east or west. After all, the needle is hardy and does not require bright light, which can negatively affect young phylloclades, but it craves to be in the shade. On cool short winter bright days, the needle will be more pleasant to be on the windowsill of the south window.
The temperature regime suitable for the needle is very simple. It is necessary to adhere to the room temperature in summer, and the winter minimum threshold is 4-6˚С. The plant is not afraid of drafts and short-term temperature fluctuations, even less than 0˚С.
Humidity and watering
The needle plant does not impose special requirements on the humidity of the air in the room, because the southern flower perfectly withstands dry air. In order for the plant to feel comfortable and actively grow, it is necessary to perform water procedures - spray or wipe phylloclades with a damp cloth, avoiding dust.
Regular watering during the growing season is a must. Water in the pot should not stagnate. After the end of the formation of shoots, the needle is not needed frequent watering. The main point is to prevent the drying of the earth.
Priming
Needle needle does not require special requirements for the composition of the soil, because the natural conditions for existence are mountain valleys and slopes. Nevertheless, the composition of the substrate should not be excessively dense. The shrub will feel great in the mixture: one part of sod land and sand, three parts leaf ground. Or: peat soil, leaf soil, and double turf soil. It is desirable that the pot has a hole.
top dressing
From the onset of warm spring days until late autumn, the needle will not at all be against regular feeding with complex mineral fertilizers at least once every fourteen days. The rest of the time, the needle plant is in a state of rest and does not need top dressing.
Transfer
The best period for transplanting needles is spring with an interval of two to three years. It depends on how you want to see your beautiful needle. It will be a wonderful lush bush in a wide pot, and in a narrow one it will be less bushy.
Ruscus andiglitsa reproduction
You can propagate the needle in two ways: by dividing the rhizome or by seeds.
Most often, the first method is used during plant transplantation. It is necessary to clean the root system from the ground, eliminating the old growth, cut the rhizome into several parts. It is advisable to treat each root with charcoal and plant it in a separate container with suitable soil. Next, we follow all the rules for caring for an adult flower.
Reproduction of needles by seeds is a longer process. Seeds should be sown in a container with moist soil mixture, provide a bright place and maintain a temperature of 20˚C. Sprouts may appear no earlier than three months later. When the seedlings reach a height of 8 cm, they need to dive with a landing in a separate pot.
Diseases and pests
The needle can be struck by the following dangerous pests: mealybug, scale insect, spider mite, thrips.
The main most important factors in the maintenance of a beautiful butcher's plant are considered. They must be carried out conscientiously, qualitatively and with love. And then an unusual wonderful plant with hard branches turning into sharp thorns will grow on the windowsill. Butcher's needle is listed in the Red Book. Grow this plant and you will prevent it from disappearing from the face of our planet.
It must be remembered that the needle plant is poisonous . Another poisonous plant is a member of the Asparagus family –
The content of the article:
Butcher's broom (Ruscus) is a plant belonging today to the Asparagus family (Asparagaceae). A little earlier, it was isolated in its own family with the same name Iglitsevyh (Ruscaceae) or it went as part of the Lily family (Liliaceae) or Landyshev family (Convallariaceae). Butcher's native habitat is in the Mediterranean, as well as the lands of the Crimea and the Caucasus. In natural conditions, it likes to settle in coniferous forests, hiding in the penumbra formed by the crowns of large trees.
The plant got its name because of the translation of the Anglo-Saxon word meaning "box", in the people it bears the name Ruskus or Mousethorn.
Butcher's-broom is a perennial with a shrubby form of growth and an evergreen deciduous mass, but there are varieties that take the form of subshrubs or herbs. There is a creeping rhizome and a stem covered with small grooves. The branches have the outlines of persistent plates with a leathery surface, on which parallel veins protrude. Such shoots are called cladodii - they are usually branches or stems, painted in green tones, and bearing strongly reduced (reduced in size) leaves. These sheet plates differ in triangular-awl-shaped contours and small sizes, membranous.
When flowering, small flowers appear, gathering in inflorescences. The buds grow on somewhat elongated pedicels that originate on the surface of the cladodii. Flowers can be either unisexual or bisexual. Perianths are painted in a greenish color, they are divided into six parts and eventually falling off, the shares with a slight deviation. Those placed outside have wider contours. Anther flowers usually have 3–6 stamens, the stamens tend to fuse into an ovoid tube, which originates from the base of the bud or from the limb of the perianth. Anthers are placed at the top of this tube. If the flower is pistillate, then the pistil in it is surrounded by stamen filaments, there are no anthers on them, the column in such a flower is short, the stigma is capitate. The ovary usually has one or two nests, in rare cases there are three. There are also two ovules located in each of the nests.
In the process of fruiting, the fruit ripens in the form of a fleshy berry with a rich red color scheme. The stem is short. Inside is one seed, but sometimes there may be a pair. The contours of the seed are spherical.
Often, the plant is not often grown in rooms, but if climatic conditions allow, then it is not a rare guest in garden and park areas. However, if a decision is made to cultivate the needle as a home green decoration, then it can play the role of a Christmas talisman, since its needles are very reminiscent of Christmas trees, and the bright red berries themselves, like beads, serve as a natural decoration. It is also worth remembering those medicinal properties, which may be useful to the owner of ruskus. Let's learn how to grow this unpretentious specimen of flora in your home.
Recommendations for growing needles, home care
- Lighting. When cultivating needles, it is recommended to choose a place with diffused but bright lighting - a window of an eastern or western location, since phylloclades will begin to dry out under direct sunlight. Phyllocladia are the stems of plants of modified outlines, they can often take the form of leaves and take on the functions of photosynthesis.
- Content temperature. When summer heat comes, it is necessary to take out a pot with a needle to Fresh air, but with the advent of autumn, it perfectly tolerates a decrease in heat to 13-15 degrees.
- Air humidity it does not play a big role in the cultivation of mouse thorns, however, when young shoots are actively growing, it is recommended to spray.
- Watering. When in spring period at Ruscus, young shoots begin to grow actively, then regular soil moistening is carried out. If the phylloclades are already fully formed, then the needle will easily endure drought.
- fertilizers for butcher's needles, they are applied during the period of vegetative activity. The frequency of top dressing is once every 3-4 weeks. Apply full complex fertilizer. In winter, the plant is not fed.
- Transplantation and selection of soil. They change the pot for the needle as the root system masters the soil completely offered to it. The new capacity is selected depending on what shape the bush wants to get the owner. If you take a wide pot, due to the fact that the rhizomes have creeping shoots, many new shoots will appear, and the ruskus will have more magnificent forms. If the bushiness of the needle is not required, then the pot is selected narrow. In any case, small holes are made in the bottom of the container to drain excess moisture, and a layer of drainage material is placed in the pot.
How to propagate needles yourself?
Most often, sowing seeds or dividing an overgrown mother plant is used to obtain a new mousethorn bush.
Seed material, it is recommended to place in a container with moistened peat-sand soil and cover with a piece of glass or plastic wrap, to create a mini-greenhouse microclimate. Place the container with crops in a bright place, but without direct sunlight. You should not forget to carry out daily ventilation and, if necessary, moisten the dried substrate from a fine spray gun. The first sprouts cut through in 2-3 months, and such a young needle begins to bear fruit a year from the time of planting.
There is also a second way seed propagation when the seeds are planted in a peat-sand substrate and the container with the crops is placed in a room where the heat indicators do not exceed 20 degrees. This growing season will last at least a year. If it is required to accelerate the growth of crops, then cold stratification is carried out. When the sprouts reach a height of 8 cm, they pick in separate containers.
If the needle is propagated by dividing the bush, then this operation is relevant before the start of the vegetative activity of the plant. It is required to carefully remove the plant from the pot, wash off the substrate from the root system and cut off the old shoots. Then, using a well-sharpened knife, the root system is divided into parts. Just do not divide the needle too small, as the delenki may not take root. Slices are recommended to sprinkle with crushed activated or charcoal. Delenki are planted in separate pots.
Difficulties in cultivating the plant
Of the pests that bring problems when growing ruscus, spider mites, scale insects, thrips and mealybugs are isolated. If symptoms of pests are found, it is necessary to treat with a soap, oil or alcohol preparation. If these funds do not help, then spray with insecticides.
Quite often, needle plantings are used to create borders with evergreen foliage, placing them in park and garden areas, but where warm climatic conditions allow.
When the shoots are still young, they are used as food, and locals easily replace coffee with fruits or add them to culinary dishes. It is also customary to make beads from them.
It is customary to harvest shoots of a variety of butcher's needle for the winter to feed livestock. Also, the needle is widely used in traditional medicine, apply it to increase the tone of the veins, with hemorrhoids, edema and convulsions.
There is a beautiful legend associated with Ruskus. There was a time when the forest nymph, having arranged a ball, invited all the plants growing in the forest to her place. Everyone was having fun and dancing, and only one needle was not happy, but stood alone in the corner. A nymph approached her and, as the hostess of the celebration, began to wonder what was the reason for the guest's sadness. Iglitsa complained about her unsightly outfit, they say, there is absolutely nothing to brag about. And then the nymph, possessing magic, gave her evergreen leaves and berries, which, like bright beads, adorned the bush. But the needle decided to refuse such a gift and said that she wanted to be of benefit to people. And then all the guests began to decide which part of the butcher's needle would be medicinal, and so beautiful bead berries were chosen. A fairy tale is a fairy tale, but as early as 100 years BC, the poet Publius Virgil Miron mentioned the beneficial properties of the needle, the historian Pliny the Elder, born already in the 1st century AD, claimed the same.
Types of needles
Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) prefers to settle in valleys and mountainous areas in western Europe, mainly choosing oak, coniferous or heather and pistachio trees for growth. tree plantings, and bushes. You can also find this variety in the southern regions of Russia, many European countries, in the Crimean lands and the Caucasus as an ornamental culture that is frost-resistant.
The height of the stems of this shrub does not exceed 70 cm. The flowers are small and have a multipart perianth. They are located most often in phylloclades (their lower part). These parts of the plant are pointed and are in a lanceolate membranous bract. The stigma with a capitate shape is located in pistillate flowers, the ovary with three nests is also located there, surrounded on all sides by stamen filaments. The latter are fused into tubules and are devoid of anthers. IN autumn period on the female bushes fruits are formed in the form of berries, with a red tint. This becomes possible only if there are male plants nearby. However, there are varieties that have natural hermaphroditism, that is, when flowers appear both female and male. Then there is a possibility of fruiting due to self-pollination.
Ruscus sublingual (Ruscus hypoglossum). It grows on the territory of the southern regions of Crimea, starting from the southern outskirts of the city of Alushta and Batiliman and up to the northernmost spurs of the Yalta Yayla. This species is a frequent visitor to the lands of northern Europe and the Mediterranean, and is also found on the Balkan Peninsula. The plant grows both singly, between stone boulders, and in small groups on wet substrates of slopes and in damp shaded forests.
It is a perennial with a herbaceous form, reaching a height of 20–50 cm (rarely 70 cm). Phyllocladia are large with a pointed or rounded apex, painted in a dark green tone, their surface is leathery. Their length reaches 5–7 cm with a width of 3–3.5 cm. Those that grow at the top are placed oppositely, and the lower phylloclades are alternate. In flowers, greenish petals and buds are located in the upper part of the modified shoots, taking place in the axil of the whitish leaf of the bract. Usually they appear from 2 to 5 units. The dimensions of the bract in length reach 2.5 cm with a width of 0.8 cm. When fruiting, berries of a rich red color appear, their diameter reaches 2 cm. The plant has male and female flowers. The period of flower formation stretches from mid to late spring, and the fruit ripens from early July to December.
This species is listed in the Red Book.
Ruscus ponticus (Ruscus ponticus) It grows on the lands of the Mediterranean, settling in the rocky regions of the southern coast of Crimea (the height at which the needle grows reaches 1000 m above sea level). There, the plant feels good among heather trees and shrubs, it also likes to grow in the Caucasus, choosing forests in the Black Sea coastal regions for growth. The species is listed in the Red Book due to the catastrophic population decline. Therefore, it is grown in botanical gardens Russia, stationed in Krasnodar, Omsk and Sochi.
It has a shrub form of growth and varies in height from 30–60 cm (rarely 90 cm). The stem is upright, tubular-furrowed, with a bluish-green color scheme. Smooth branches deviate slightly back, they are covered with fine roughness. The height of the plant reaches meter indicators. The phylloclades of this species are elongated, with narrow subulate outlines, middle and lateral veins are clearly visible on them, such modified shoots are only 1.2–1.5 cm long and 1–1.5 cm wide.
Are formed small flowers with greenish-purple petals. Their location is in the lower part of the leaf axil of the bract. Its size is small, the tip is pointed. The plant produces both female and male buds. The flowering process occurs from September to January. Fruits should be expected from the end of autumn to the end winter period. The fruit is a red berry.
Butcher's broom (Ruscus hypophyllum) is most widespread in the lands of the Mediterranean and Transcaucasia. The plant is quite shade-tolerant, as it is usually placed under the forest canopy. The height of the stems often reaches half a meter. Phyllocladia are distinguished by elongated-lanceolate forms, narrowing towards the base, and the surface is glossy. Their size varies in length in the range of 6–9 cm (rarely 11 cm) with a width of 2–4 cm. The edge is entire, they are not rigid and do not prick. The flowers are small, arranged 5–6 units in the lower part of the phylloclades, where there is a leaf axil of a small bract. Berries-fruits reach a centimeter in diameter and are cast in red color. The flowering process occurs in April-May, and the fruits ripen from late summer to September.
Butcher's broom (Ruscus hyrcanus) grows in the Caucasian territory and in the lands of Northern Iran. Today it is considered a relic representative of the flora. Mostly found in mountain forests, can form solid green mats of branches. The height of the shoots does not exceed 25–40 cm (sometimes up to 60 cm). The rhizome of the variety is short, creeping. The stems have a furrowed surface, the apex is usually crowned with branches arranged in whorls of 5, but occasionally 4–9 units, there is a limb on the sides. Phyllocladia are leathery. There are cladodias (stems of a green color, they bear strongly reduced leaf plates, but they do not look like them at all) with a length of 12–28 cm and a width of up to 8–12 cm. Their outlines are ovate-oblong, the color is greenish, and the surface is hard . On the plate, the central vein protrudes strongly, and the apex has a pointed end ending in a spine.
In the process of flowering, flowers with greenish petals are formed, and they are collected in 2-5 pieces (occasionally singly), located along the middle axis of the cladodii, where the axil of the membranous bract is located. The fruit is a berry of bright red color, spherical in diameter reaching 7–9 mm.
For more about the needle, about plant care, see the following video:
Butcher's broom or Ruscus (Ruscus) belongs to the Asparagus family (Asparagaceae). In some sources, it is allocated to its own family Ruscaceae or included in the Liliaceae family.
Butcher's broom is a showy perennial houseplant. It is unpretentious, can grow in the shade. It can be grown as a small shrub or decorated as an elegant Christmas tree that will be the highlight of your interior. And the fruiting needle is also covered with bright red berries. Ruscus pretty unpretentious plant, which allows you to add a bold accent to the design of your home or office without much worries. Its dark green stems are tough, retain their attractiveness for many months, and are often used as material for flower arrangements.
In nature, the needle is found mainly in oak and pine forests. Western Europe, grows in the Caucasus, in the Crimea, can be seen in the south of Russia.
The plant reaches a height of 70 cm. The spiky spear-shaped leaves of the needle are flat modified shoots. Botanists call them phylloclades (cladodies). The leaves themselves are small and scaly.
Ruscus flowers appear in spring, they are inconspicuous, do not represent decorative value, but after pollination, red-orange or scarlet berries ripen. They stay on the shoots for a long time, so often there are both flowers and fruits on the same plant. Such a needle seems to be continuously flowering and fruiting. For fruiting, specimens of the female and male type are needed. However, even a single plant often bears fruit.
Types of butcher's needle (ruscus)
Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus)- a plant 60 cm high, can reach a meter. The stems are erect, the phylloclades are bluish-green, leathery, lanceolate, drawn into a long spiny point, the midrib is well distinguished. The berries are large, red ripen in November-December.
Ruscus sublingual (Ruscus hypoglossum) – undersized plant(in height - 30-40 cm), grows on the southern coast of Crimea, is listed in the Red Book. This species is more common in Europe, where it grows in moist shady forests, among stones and on wet rocks. Its elongated leathery phylloclades have a rounded top.
Butcher's broom (Ruscus hypophyllum) distributed in the Mediterranean and Transcaucasia. It grows under the canopy of the forest, so it is quite a shade-tolerant plant. It grows up to half a meter in height. Phyllocladia oblong-lanceolate, tapering towards the base, glossy.
Butcher's broom (Ruscus hyrcanus) found in the Caucasus and northern Iran. Refers to relic plants, grows mainly in forests forming a continuous cover. Height 25-40 centimeters, grows in mountain forests.
Butcher's needle Colchis (Ruscus colchicus) has non-branching stems and large phylloclades. The flowers bloom gradually during autumn and winter, and the fruits ripen in spring. This species is considered medicinal.
Caring for ruskus (needle needle) at home
Caring for a room needle is not difficult, it is an unpretentious plant. It is important to remember that her period of growth and intensive development is in the spring. Young shoots appear already fully formed, only their size depends on irrigation and fertilizer. It is advisable not to damage them - new ones will be only next spring.
Lighting. All needles grow well in diffused light. They also tolerate shade well. In winter, the south window is best, but in summer it is better to rearrange to the east or west window - in direct sunlight, young phylloclades can dry out.
Temperature. The needle grows well with normal room temperature, in the warm season, it is desirable to transfer to the open air. In winter, it perfectly withstands a constant temperature of 13-15 degrees, which makes it beautiful plant suitable for decorating cool foyers, well-lit halls. Some species are frost-resistant, they can be used for outdoor gardening at home.
Air humidity. Doesn't matter. During active growth, it is recommended to spray the plant from time to time. In addition, wash and spray to remove dust.
Watering. During the growing season, when young shoots are growing, ruscus is watered regularly, but when the phylloclades on the shoots are fully formed, the plant easily tolerates the lack of watering.
Fertilizer. During the period of intensive growth, they are fed once every 3-4 weeks with a solution of complete complex fertilizer. In winter, the needles have a dormant period, the plant is not fertilized.
Transfer. Repot as needed in the spring. The pot is chosen depending on what form of a plant it is desirable to receive. If you plant a plant in a wide pot, then creeping rhizomes will quickly give rise to new shoots, you get lush bush. If bushiness is not needed, choose a narrow container.
The soil. Ruscus is not demanding on soil fertility; in nature, it often grows on mountain slopes. But you need to remember that the soil should not be too dense and water should not stagnate in it. You can prepare a mixture of 1 part soddy land, 3 parts sheet and 1 part sand. When transplanting, old dried underground shoots are cut off.
reproduction. Butcher's broom is propagated by seeds or division of bushes. The easiest way in the spring when transplanting is to divide the rhizomes of old, overgrown plants. Each of the parts of the rhizome must have shoots and roots. Transplanted only before the start of the growth period.
Pests and diseases. Not too affected by pests. The main enemies are thrips, spider mites.
The leaves and branches of the needle have a very interesting structure. The leaves are reduced and almost invisible, as they are scaly films. The function of photosynthesis perform Phyllocladia are spiky, leathery shoots that look like leaves. They grow up to 2 cm in length.
Inflorescences appear on phylloclades, consisting of small flowers. Round berries ripen in their place. They are usually bright red or Orange color. During long period The plant bears both flowers and fruits at the same time.
Ruscus is a dioecious plant. On the shrub there are unisexual and bisexual flowers, which are pollinated during rain or dew. Droplets carry pollen from male to female flowers.
Ruscus fruits are edible in the same way as young shoots. The seeds are used in the preparation of a coffee substitute. Also, all parts of the plant are used in folk medicine. Some species are used as pet food. In England, brooms were made from ruscus.
IN Lately greatly reduced the number of plants growing in wild nature.
3 species were listed in the Red Book: Colchis (R. Colchicus), Sublingual (R. Hypoglossum) And Hyrcanian (R. hyrcanus).
Because of this, the needles began to be used in landscaping garden plots, and also grown as potted plant at home.
Views and Photos
There are several types that are the most popular.
Colchis
The plant reaches a height of 45-55 cm. It has erect stems with large oblong phylloclades, slightly pointed. The lower ones are opposite, and the upper ones alternately.
The inflorescences appear on the underside of the phyllocladia. Berries ripen quite large, about 10 mm in diameter, bright red. There are two seeds inside. Blooms open during the fall and winter months. By the end of spring, the fruits of the Colchis needle ripen.
In the wild grows coniferous and deciduous forests, also along the gorges. Prefers clay or loamy, well-drained soil. Propagated by seeds or division of the rhizome. The Colchis needle is listed in the Red Book. The photo below shows the "Colchian needle":
Pontic (spiky, prickly)
The needle of this species grows from about 60 cm to 1 m. It has erect stems with leathery, lanceolate, slightly elongated phylloclades. Small flowers bloom from February to April. Fruits, 8-10 mm in diameter, ripen in December.
Natural habitat - juniper and pine forests, rocks. The condition of the soil is not particularly demanding. The spiny needle propagates vegetatively, as well as by seeds.
This species is widely used in folk medicine. Tinctures and decoctions treat venous insufficiency, varicose veins, atherosclerosis, arthritis, bronchial asthma. Pontic (spiky, prickly) needle is shown in the photo below:
sublingual
Ruscus perennial shrub grows up to 40 cm. It has an upright stem with leathery lanceolate phylloclades. In length, they reach 5-7 cm. In May, 3-5 flowers bloom on each phylloclade. In their place, fruits are formed, by December they become bright red.
Grows in countries Central Europe, Mediterranean and Asia Minor. Prefers moist soil of forests or rocks.
The needle will not bring much trouble in care, but it is still important to follow some rules. In the photo below you can see what the "Hyoid needle" looks like:
Home care
Post-Purchase Care
After acquiring a ruscus in a pot and bringing it home, it is provided with good care.
First of all, you need to choose the right place for permanent growth. If the purchase of a shrub fell on the summer months, then it is better to take the pot out to the balcony or garden.
The place must be protected from sunlight.
Due attention should be paid to soil moisture. If necessary, after 10-14 days, you can transplant into a new pot.
pruning
Trimming should be done as needed.
The potted needle is quite compact and neat. Dried shoots are subject to mandatory removal.
Twigs are used to decorate bouquets.
IMPORTANT! Pruning branches should not be carried away. In a year, you can cut no more than 30% of the entire green mass of the plant.
Pruned healthy twigs are used for vegetative propagation.
Watering
In the summer months, a period of increased growth, watering is carried out at least 3 times a week.
In winter, it is worth reducing to 1-2 times.
The soil in the pot should be moderately moist.
The green part of the shrub is periodically sprayed with settled water.
This will not only wash away the dust, but will also promote pollination.
Also spraying is the prevention of the appearance of pests.
Landing
For planting, you can use a ready-made earthen mixture for lemons. When self-preparation in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1 is mixed:
- sod land,
- peat,
- humus,
- sand.
Planting containers should contain drainage holes. Because the bush does not love stagnant water, then the bottom is additionally covered with a good layer of expanded clay or crushed red brick.
Transfer
Ruskus does not need an annual transplant, only if necessary.
To give a special shape, various landing containers.
For example, a high and narrow container is used to give the needle a tree shape, and a wide container is used to grow a bush.
When transplanting, all dried branches are removed. The transplant procedure, if necessary, should be done in the spring months.
Growing from seed at home
This breeding method is one of the most difficult. Seeds for planting must be fresh. Before planting, the seeds are soaked and placed on 5-7 days in refrigerator compartment. An earthen substrate is poured into the seedling box with a layer of 5-8 cm. On the surface of the ground fit seeds and sprinkled with sand, the layer of which is not more than 1 cm. Put glass on the box or cover with foil and ensure the temperature is 19-21 degrees.
Periodically, spraying and airing of planted seeds is carried out. Seeds germinate very slowly. Sometimes it takes up to 10-12 months. After the sprouts grow by 6-8 cm, they need to dive into separate pots.
reproduction
Most effective way breeding - rhizome division.
This procedure is carried out spring. Adult, overgrown shrubs are used.
When dividing the rhizome, you need to know that from each separated part should depart green shoots.
Temperature
Ruskus good develops at room temperature. In the summer months, it is advisable to take the plant to fresh air, for example, to the garden or to the loggia. It also normally tolerates temperatures as low as 13 degrees. There are frost-resistant species that are suitable for landscaping garden plots, as well as loggias and balconies.
Lighting
Iglitsa loves diffused light, also grows well in the shade. It is impossible to leave the shrub under the direct rays of the sun, young phylloclades can be severely affected by them. The most successful placement on windows facing east or west.
Benefit and harm
All parts of the needle are used in medicine, including folk medicine. Preparing tinctures and decoctions with anti-inflammatory properties. They are used to treat arthritis, arthrosis, and restore metabolism. Also, needle tinctures are used to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, prevent the formation of blood clots.
ATTENTION! With caution, needle-based preparations should be used by pregnant women and people suffering from high blood pressure.
Before use, be sure to consult a doctor.
Diseases and pests
Ruskus- A hardy shrub and rarely exposed to diseases. Often the cause of plant disease is improper care. Waterlogging soil can lead to rotting of the roots of the needle, and insufficient amount of moisture- to dry.
Among the pests, the most danger for the plant are scale insects and spider mites. To get rid of them, the entire plant is treated with a solution of insecticides. When processing shrubs, you should follow the instructions and safety rules.
Iglitsa- a very beautiful plant and quite rare. Some species are listed in the Red Book. Therefore, the owners of this plant will not only enjoy the beauty, but also prevent their complete disappearance.
Useful video
How to care for "Iglitsa" at home is described in the video below:
Iglitsa is a perennial semi-shrub, found in the wild in pine and forests of Western Europe, in tree massifs of the Crimea and the Caucasus, in North Africa and some Asian states.
Brief description of culture
Ruscus or Ruscus (lat. Ruscus, eng. Butcher’s broom) is a plant of the Asparagus family (lat. Asraragaseae), relatively recently it was assigned to its own family of Needle (lat. Russaceae), Liliaceae (lat. Liliaseae) or Landysheva (lat. Convallariaceae).
Did you know? Butcher's-broom grew on our planet in the pre-glacial period and is rightfully considered a relic plant. To date, it is not very common and does not even have a dozen species. Nevertheless, unusual ruskus is found in the interiors of houses and, on garden plots regions with a mild climate.
A few plant species differ in size and appearance. Some of them are grown in gardens (such as sublingual or Italian needle (lat. Ruscus hypoglossum), subleaf needle (lat. Ruscus hypophyllum), Hyrcanian needle (lat. Rúscus hyrcanus), but in room conditions, they mainly breed Pontic or prickly needle (lat. Ruscus aculeatus). 
Evergreen shrubs, semi-shrubs or perennial grass, with characteristic erect or drooping woody stems that extend from a creeping rhizome.
Depending on the species, they can reach a length of 30 cm to 1 m. Phyllocladia shoots that take the form of leaves have a leathery, hard, matte or glossy structure, an ovoid lanceolate shape with rounded or sharp ends, and a rich green color. The length of the shoots can reach 11 cm, and the width is 2-6 cm.
The leaves of the needle are also quite unusual, they look like small translucent scales covered with a film, triangular in shape. Small inconspicuous flowers of pale blue, white or greenish-purple hue, formed on phylloclades, have a fairly long flowering period. 
After flowering, bright round red-orange fruits with 2-3 seeds are formed, giving the ruskus a special decorative effect.
Chemical composition and active substances
The needle plant has its irreplaceable medicinal properties due to its chemical composition:
- proteins;
- fats;
- sucrose;
- vegetable fibers;
- vitamins C and PP;
- trace elements: calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, silicon, cobalt, manganese, phosphorus, chromium, aluminum.
The active substances concentrated mainly in the rhizome are saponosides (such as ruscogenin) and heterosides (such as rutoside). Did you know? The miraculous plant does not bear any names - ruskus, mousethorn, Colchis asparagus, royal broom, butcher's broom. Beautiful bouquets, durable flexible brooms, coffee drink and even magic beads were made from its fruits.
What is useful needle?
Saponosides have a curative effect on the vessels of the veins. Ruscus in oral preparations is used to constrict the blood vessels of the skin. 
Butcher's broom Pontica (prickly) has medicinal properties aimed at eliminating the exacerbation of hemorrhoids, venous dysfunctions, manifested in premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives. Preparations containing ruskus are used for:
- narrowing of the venous vessels;
- strengthening the venous walls;
- reduction of fragility and permeability of capillaries and vessel walls;
- increase the tone of smooth cellular muscles;
- improve cell metabolism;
- removal of toxins from muscle tissue;
- stimulation of blood circulation and water-salt metabolism;
- obstacles to the formation of inflammatory processes;
- reduce the formation of blood clots.
The plant in the composition of anti-cellulite products helps to activate peripheral circulation and restore skin elasticity. Important! medicinal plant has anti-inflammatory, firming, antimicrobial, cleansing, stimulating, diaphoretic, vasoconstrictive, diuretic and laxative properties.
Application in traditional medicine
In folk medicine, the fruits and roots of the needle are used. Ointments, decoctions, tinctures, extracts are made from them.
Healers apply folk remedies for the treatment of such diseases:
- jaundice;
- thrombosis;
- atherosclerosis;
- problems of the cardiovascular system;
- headaches;
- phlebeurysm;
- gout;
- haemorrhoids;
- spasms;
- swelling;
- kidney failure;
- inflammation of the gallbladder;
- gangrene;
- Meniere's disease;
- Alzheimer's disease;
- Raynaud's syndrome
Did you know? The plant got its popular name "butcher's broom" due to the use of it by butchers for cleaning cutting boards tough butcher's root, which has excellent antibacterial properties.
At home, you can prepare such medicinal mixtures from ruscus rhizomes:
- Diuretic infusion, also used for pain relief in PMS and varicose veins: add 1 tbsp to 1 liter of boiling water. a spoonful of crushed dry butcher's root, leave for three hours and strain.
- A decoction for the treatment of cramps, lymphatic congestion, swelling of the legs and problems during menopause in women: add 60 g of rhizomes to 1 liter of water, boil and cook over low heat for 20 minutes.
Contraindications and harm
Needle has a huge spectrum medicinal properties, but it also has contraindications for use.