Real Speik
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True Speik ( Valeriana celtica ) |
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The real Speik ( Valeriana celtica ) is a species of the valerian genus ( Valeriana ) in the subfamily of the valerian family (Valerianoideae).
The name Speik goes back to the old name of this plant species, "spica celtica" ( Latin spica = ear, celtica = Celtic ).
There are also other types of plants known as Speik .
description
Vegetative characteristics
The real Speik is a perennial , herbaceous plant that reaches heights of 5 to 15 centimeters and gives off an intense scent of valerian.
On the bare, upright stem there are one or two pairs of leaves, which are glossy dark green. The entire basal leaves are narrowly lanceolate. The stem leaves are smaller and almost linear.
Generative characteristics
The flowering period extends from June to August. The flowers are grouped in small, little - flowered trugdoldigen partial inflorescences , which together form a cylindrical, racemose overall inflorescence. The flowers are hermaphroditic. The corolla is 2 to 3 millimeters long and has a yellowish or sometimes reddish brown color.
The number of chromosomes is 2n = 48.
Occurrence and subspecies
The Flora alpina (Aeschimann 2004) cites two subspecies:
- Valeriana celtica L. subsp. celtica ( Celtic Valerian or Echter Speik ), endemic to the Graian and Penninic Alps . It occurs in France, Switzerland and Italy.
- Valeriana celtica subsp. norica Vierh. ( Norischer Valerian or Norischer Speik ), which grows exclusively in the Eastern Alps of Austria on lime-free soils at altitudes from 1800 to 3300 meters.
Usage and cultural
The roots of this species contain a particularly large amount of essential valerian oil. The plant, which is protected today, was previously excavated en masse and mainly exported to the Orient . Today this is reserved for specially licensed mountain farmers. There is a separate digging tool for it, the so-called Speikkramperl .
The Speikboden - alpine meadows on which the plant appeared in large numbers - were properly cultivated, whereby years of closed seasons were followed after extensive use so that the population could recover. Speikgräber was a separate trade. The right to dig was often reserved for the sovereign. The roots were stored on special dry floors, locking them in ( Speiksitzen ) was regarded as a sensitive punishment for certain offenses, whereby the culprit could be recognized by the smell a long time later.
The use of the genuine Speik for the production of Speik soap is known . It was and is also used as incense , to flavor wine and ointments, and to drive away moths .
literature
- Xaver Finkenzeller: Alpine flowers. Recognize & determine (Steinbach's natural guide). Mosaik-Verlag, Munich 2003, ISBN 3-576-11482-3 .
- Wolfgang Adler, Karl Oswald, Raimund Fischer: Excursion flora of Austria. Ed .: Manfred A. Fischer . Ulmer, Stuttgart / Vienna 1994, ISBN 3-8001-3461-6 .
- David Aeschimann: Flora alpina. An atlas of all 4500 vascular plants in the Alps . Haupt Verlag, Bern 2004, ISBN 3-258-06600-0 .
Individual evidence
- ^ Konrad Lauber, Gerhart Wagner: Flora Helvetica. Flora of Switzerland. Verlag Paul Haupt, Bern, Stuttgart, Vienna, 1996, ISBN 3-258-05405-3 , p. 1040.
- ^ A b E. von Raab-Straube & T. Henning (2017+): Valerianaceae. - In: Euro + Med Plantbase - the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity. Data sheet Valerianaceae
Web links
- Speik walks. (pdf) In: Themed hiking trails: Bad Kleinkirchheim • Nockberge. Wanderdörfer , accessed on May 2, 2009 (section: A silent star. The real Speik - cultural history of Speik in Upper Styria).