Rue: neither female nor male, a hermaphrodite plant surrounded by myths and traditions

Rue  is a very popular plant and many stories have been woven behind it. In fact, it is even mentioned in the Bible.

Its popularity has always been surrounded by myths and traditions, but the recurring question is the following:

Is female or male?

First of all, it is important to know that the term “rue” is a common name given to this plant that belongs to the Ruta genus. It includes a great variety of around 60 species originating from the Mediterranean, Macaronesia and southwest Asia.

It also gives name to the family to which they belong, the Rutaceae. The plants of this family are characterized because their stems, leaves and fruits secrete very aromatic essences. The best known and really pleasant fragrance is lemon.

However, stronger and more intense is the rue itself. For many it may perhaps be strong and unpleasant, and for others it may not.

In the popular sphere, she is discriminated as “male” and “female”, in the belief that one has male organs and another has female organs.

A hermaphrodite plant

But rue is a hermaphrodite plant , in other words, it has male and female organs on the same plant.

However, many people consider this plant as male and female. The reason is because they are different species.

Ruta graveolens or rude female

• It is a plant native to southern Europe, it is a perennial, glaucous, shrubby plant that can reach a height of between 50 and 60 cm. Its leaves are aromatic and in turn are made up of several leaflets, their sides elongated and the terminal whitish, with a somewhat fleshy consistency.
• At the beginning of summer it produces bright yellow flowers that turn green. Curiously, they are grouped in bouquets and its central flower is made up of five petals and the rest only four. It has its fruit in a rounded capsule and its seeds are crescent-shaped.
• But you have to be very careful with the leaves, because they are toxic if ingested. The handling of the plants can cause dermatitis, which is why it is considered by specialists as the female rue.

Ruta chalepensis o ruda macho

• It is called  male rue  due to its larger size, in fact it can reach a height of 1 meter and even its leaves are noticeably large. It is native to the Mediterranean region and is widely used for various conditions. It is considered highly effective as a home remedy, antispasmodic, antirheumatic, for ear and even digestive ailments.
• These properties are due to the presence of essential oils with rutinic acid, which give the plant a characteristic, strong and unpleasant odor.
• It is also common to see it grown in home gardens, all due to the popular belief that it brings good luck and wards off evils.

Myths and uses

For example, in Italy they make homemade grappa, which consists of adding flowers to the bottle. It is also used for an exquisite tomato sauce that contains rue, as well as olives, basil, among other ingredients.

In fact, it is part of the popular tradition of many cultures, not only Italy. In ancient times, the Romans were the ones who cultivated this herb. For example, judges commonly carried a few sheets of paper with them before coming into contact with a prisoner. Because there was a belief that rue protected them from infections, lice and the evil eye.

You might be interested in: Why is it good to drink cane with rue every first of August?

In Argentina, it is part of numerous traditions in northwest Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. On August 1, offerings are made to Mother Earth and a ceremony is held where Pachamama is honored. As a ritual, rue tea or three drinks of cane with rue are drunk at the beginning of the day.

It is said that this ritual comes from the Guaraníes, who used rue for medicine. They were especially used against parasites, stomach conditions and irritation from bug bites, among others.

For country people, it was common to carry a small handful of rue when entering the month of August or place it under the pillow to avoid bewitchings or similar evils.