« Back to Right Dittany, White Dittany
Dictamnus albus, formerly known as white dittany or fraxinella, is most commonly called by the unlovely name of “gas plant” in modern times. The volatile oil present in the plant parts exudes a vapor that can be ignited without harming the plant. As with rue, a fellow member of the citrus family, contact with the leaves of white dittany, especially in warm weather, can cause photo-dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
This species has a much wider distribution throughout southwestern Europe and south and central Asia than the true dittany, which is endemic to Crete. White dittany is hardy to Zone 3 and is widely grown in ornamental gardens. Unlike Origanum dictamnus, it isn’t difficult to grow, although it resents being moved and should be planted in a permanent location and left undisturbed.