Burning bush
Burning bush is the common name of the plant Dictamnus albus, also known as False dittany, White dittany, or Gas plant. It belongs to the family Rutaceae, but gets its name from a story in the Bible.
According to Exodus 3:2, Moses heard the voice of God coming from a Burning bush that was not consumed by fire. This occurred after he had to flee Egypt, and was when he was called to go and demand the release of the Israelites. Traditionally it has been held that Dictamnus albus is the source of the story, as its leaves (and indeed the whole plant) produce aromatic oils that can catch fire on hot days, without injury to the plant.
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| burning bush at St. Catherine's, Sinai |
In Byzantine times, Saint Catherine's monastery was built on the supposed site of the biblical event. What was claimed to be the original burning bush is now dead, and a descendant is on view today.
Burning bush is native to western Europe and Asia Minor. It is a plant about 60 cm high. Its flowers form a loose pyramidal spike, and vary in colour from pale purple to white. It normally grows in woods in warm places. It is a popular garden plants both for its flowers and for its fragrance. Some use has been made of the plant (chiefly the powdered root) in herbalism. However, as the alternative name "False dittany" implies, it is unrelated to the Dittany found in Crete, which has a much more significant history of medicinal use.
