Łódź, Park Źródliska

It is native to northern Africa, southern and western Europe and Asia Minor. Ornamental plant. Edible plant - the leaves have been used as a tea substitute, the roasted fruit has been used as a coffee substitute. Herbal plant - the leaves are diaphoretic, expectorant, febrifuge and tonic, they are used in the treatment of intermittent fevers, rheumatism, catarrh, pleurisy etc; the berries are violently emetic and purgative; the root has been used as a diuretic, though there are more effective diuretics available; extracts of both the flowers and the leaves are used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner. Usable plant - an excellent hedge plant, tolerating hard clipping and maritime exposure and forming a dense stock-proof shelter.