The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #54987 Message #853261
Posted By: GUEST,Q
24-Dec-02 - 04:53 PM
Thread Name: Bushes fatal to Mariana
Subject: RE: Bushes fatal to Mariana
What is the name of the plant (and what plant group)? Where did this news item appear?
Sometimes called "burning bush," Dictamnus alba exudes an inflamable vapor in heat or very dry weather, which can be ignited by a nearby candle flame. It only grows 2-3 feet tall. The vapor burns without igniting the plant. Common names various, including fraxinella, white ditany (not the true ditany of another family, Origanum of the Labiatae. The plant grows from southern Europe through Asia Minor. The "burning bush" of the Bible is commonly thought to be marijuana, one of several narcotics of ancient use.
A number of plants with high wax or oil content may self-ignite in extremely hot, arid conditions from a spark.