11/28/2019 Gas plant | plant | Britannica

DEMYSTIFIED . QUIZZES . #WTFACT . LISTS . ON THIS DAY . BIOGRAPHIES . EXPLORE



Gas plant
PLANT

WRITTEN BY: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

See Article History
THIS ARTICLE IS A STUB. You can learn more about this topic in the related articles below.

Alternative Titles: Dictamnus albus, European dittany, burning bush, dittany, fraxinella, gasplant

Gas plant, (Dictamnus albus), also called dittany, burning bush, or fraxinella, gland-covered herb of the
rue family (Rutaceae). Gas plant is native to Eurasia and is grown as an ornamental in many places. The
owers (white or pink) and the leaves give off a strong aromatic vapour that can be ignited—hence the
names gas plant and burning bush.

Gas plant
 ARTICLE
 MEDIA 
QUICK FACTS
INFO

PRINT

CITE

FEEDBACK

SHARE

RELATED TOPICS

Burning bush
Dittany

gas plant
Gas plant (Dictamnus albus).
A.J. Huxley/Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Gas plant is a herbaceous perennial with a woody base. It typically reaches 61–122 cm (2–4 feet) in height.
The ve-petaled owers are borne in terminal racimes and produce dry star-shaped fruits. The compound
leaves are glossy and can cause skin irritation in some people.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello, Assistant Editor.

LEARN MORE in these related Britannica articles:

Sapindales: Rutaceae

Dictamnus albus (burning bush) is one of the few members of the family that is not
woody. This poisonous perennial herb, native from southern Europe to northern China, is
grown not only for its attractive whitish owers but also for its ethereal oil; the glands…

Rutaceae

…is the gas plant (Dictamnus albus), a poisonous perennial herb that has attractive white
or pink owers. The leaves can be squeezed to release the aromatic oil into the air, which
can then be ignited by a match.…

perennial

Perennial, any plant that persists for several years, usually with new herbaceous growth from a part that survives
from season to season. Trees and shrubs are perennial, as are some herbaceous owers and vegetative ground
covers. Perennials have only a limited owering period, but, with maintenance throughout the growing season,…

HISTORY AT
YOUR Are we living through 
a mass extinction?
FINGERTIPS

https://www.britannica.com/plant/gas-plant 1/3
11/28/2019 Gas plant | plant | Britannica
Sign up here to see what happened On This Day, every day in your inbox!
DEMYSTIFIED . QUIZZES . #WTFACT . LISTS . ON THIS DAY . BIOGRAPHIES . EXPLORE

Email address SUBMIT

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice.


 ARTICLE  MEDIA 
INFO

PRINT

CITE

FEEDBACK

SHARE

Burning bush
PLANT

WRITTEN BY: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

See Article History

Burning bush, any of several plants so called for their striking fall foliage, brilliant ower display, or
emission of a volatile ammable vapour. Many are cultivated as garden ornamentals.

Burning bush
QUICK FACTS

RELATED TOPICS
Dicotyledon
Gas plant
Red summer cypress
Wahoo
Winged spindle tree

winged spindle tree

Winged spindle tree (Euonymus alatus), also called burning bush, in autumn.
© Debra Millet/Dreamstime.com

One of the most popular burning bushes planted for fall colour is Euonymus atropurpureus, also called
wahoo. This shrub, or small tree, up to 8 metres (26 feet) in height, is native to the eastern and north-
central United States. It bears small purplish owers and small scarlet fruits. The western burning bush (E.
occidentalis), up to 5.5 metres (18 feet) tall, is found along the western coastal United States. The winged
spindle tree, or winged euonymus (E. alatus), is often called burning bush. A shrub growing to a height of
2.5 metres (8 feet), it has several cultivated varieties, including a dwarf, compact branching form, which is
much used in landscaping. See also Euonymus.

Red summer cypress, or rebush (Bassia scoparia), is also called burning bush (see Bassia), as is
Combretum microphyllum, the ame creeper of Mozambique, a rambling shrub with scarlet ower spikes.

The gas plant (Dictamnus albus) gives off a strong aromatic vapour that can be ignited and is thus also
known as burning bush.

Are we living through 

a mass extinction?

https://www.britannica.com/plant/gas-plant 2/3
11/28/2019 Gas plant | plant | Britannica

DEMYSTIFIED . QUIZZES . #WTFACT . LISTS . ON THIS DAY . BIOGRAPHIES . EXPLORE



gas plant
Gas plant (Dictamnus albus).
A.J. Huxley/Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Facts Matter. Support the truth and unlock all of Britannica’s content.
Subscribe Today

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello, Assistant Editor.

LEARN MORE in these related Britannica articles:

Bassia

Bassia, genus of about 10 species of annual plants in the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae), native primarily to
Eurasia. Many Bassia species can tolerate saline soil conditions and can be poisonous to grazing animals,
particularly sheep. Several are considered invasive species in areas outside their native range, including the ve-
horn smotherweed…

HISTORY AT
YOUR
FINGERTIPS
Sign up here to see what happened On This Day, every day in your inbox!

Email address SUBMIT

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice.

LOAD NEXT ARTICLE

Inspire your inbox – Sign up for daily fun facts about this day in history, updates, and special offers.

Enter your email SUBSCRIBE

By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Click here to view our Privacy Notice. Easy unsubscribe links are provided in every email.

STAY CONNECTED      
About Us About Our Ads Partner Program Contact Us Privacy Notice Terms of Use

©2019 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.


Are we living through
a mass extinction?

https://www.britannica.com/plant/gas-plant 3/3