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<big>''[[Ruta chalepensis]]'' L.</big>

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Ruta chalepensis'' (PROTA)}}

:Protologue: Mant. pl. 1: 69 (1767).

:Family: Rutaceae

== Synonyms ==

== Vernacular names ==

== Origin and geographic distribution ==

Responsible for the bitter taste is rutin (7–8% in the dried leaves), a quercetin glycoside containing the disaccharide rutinose as sugar component. It is known for its capillary protection properties. Extracts of ''Ruta chalepensis'' have also been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Erect, densely branched subshrub 0.5–1(–1.5) m high. Leaves spirally arranged, 2–3-pinnatisect, obovate to oblong-obovate in outline, 4–15 cm × 2–9 cm, ultimate segments obovate-lanceolate, about 5–30 mm × 1.5–6 mm, conspicuously glaucous, crenate, translucent glandular punctate, strong smelling, lower leaves more or less petiolate, up to 12.5 cm long, 2(–3)-pinnate; stipules absent. Inflorescence a bracteate cyme, terminal or in the upper leaf axils, often combined into a corymb, bracts cordate-ovate, wider than the subtended branch. Flowers bisexual, 4(–5)-merous, protrandrous, central flowers 5-merous; pedicel 0.5–2 cm long; sepals deltate-ovate, 3–4 mm × 2–3 mm, glabrous; petals free, oblong, 4–8 mm long, fringed with cilia not as long as the width of the petal, greenish-yellow outside, yellow inside; anthers twice as many as the petals; ovary superior, almost round, 4–5-lobed, 3–5-celled. Fruit a 4-lobed capsule, 5–7 mm × 5–8 mm, segments acuminate, apically opening, 5–10-seeded. Seeds three-edged, kidney-shaped, dark brown or brownish-black. Seedling with epigeal germination.

== Other botanical information ==

== Ecology ==

''Ruta chalepensis'' grows well in well-drained sandy or rocky limestone soils and prefers an open sunny position. In Ethiopia it is cultivated at 1500–2000 m altitude.

== Management ==

== Author(s) ==

== Correct citation of this article ==

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