squinancywort | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Gentianales |
Family: | Rubiaceae |
Subfamily: | Rubioideae |
Tribe: | Rubieae |
Genus: | Asperula |
Species: | A. cynanchica |
Binomial name | |
Asperula cynanchica L. |
Asperula cynanchica (squinancywort or squincywort) is a species of flowering plant in the Rubiaceae family. Its common name is derived from its former use as a medicinal herb to cure quinsy. It is native to much of southern and central Europe from Spain and Ireland to Russia.
In Sweden, the roots have been used as a red dying agent.
It is a perennial plant and grows in short grassland or sand dunes on calcareous soils. The flowers are small and can be either pink or white.