Bishop's weed

Description

Ammi majus-commonly called bishop's weed,false bishop's weed, bullwort,greater ammi, lady's lace, Queen Anne's lace 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. A. majus contains large amounts of the chemicals furanocoumarin, xanthotoxin, and bergapten.[citation needed] The furanocoumarin can cause phytophotodermatitis and hyperpigmentation. In India, A. majus is cultivated for the furancoumarins which are used to treat vitiligo and psoriasis. Like its close relative Ammi visnaga, A. majus and its cultivars are frequently seen in gardens where they are grown from seed annually. The species and the cultivar 'Graceland' have both gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.