Ammi majus
| Ammi majus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ammi majus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Ammi |
| Species: | A. majus |
| Binomial name | |
| Ammi majus L. | |
Ammi majus — commonly called bishop's flower,[1] bishop’s weed,[2] false bishop’s weed,[2] bullwort,[2] greater ammi,[2] lady’s lace,[2] False Queen Anne's lace[3] or laceflower — is a plant originating in the Nile River Valley which has white lace-like flower clusters. It is a member of the carrot (Apiaceae) family.
Description
A. majus fruits can be distinguished by the presence of four prominent secondary ridges and by the absence of lacunae outside the vascular bundles, as seen in the transverse section of fruit.
Uses
A. majus contains large amounts of the chemicals furanocoumarin, xanthotoxin, and bergapten. The furanocoumarin can cause phytophotodermatitis and hyperpigmentation. In India, A. majus is cultivated for the furancoumarins which are used to treat vitiligo and psoriasis.[4]