"JennyC" wrote in message
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"Mary Fisher" wrote in message
. net...

"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message
...

In my experience, it does. It self-seeds slightly, and the seedlings
appear true. It is dead easy to take cuttings.

Don't panic over the reaction problems, but don't put it anywhere
that people will get the crushed or cut leaves or stem against
bare skin. And I think that it is attractive, and it can be used
(in VERY small quantities) in cooking.

I don't like it in cooking but I do think it's very attractive and an
asset in a natural garden. I have a butler's sink full and it's very
popular with hoverflies and other insects. I've never had a reaction to
it, nor has anyone else in our family and we often crush the leaves in
passing for the scent.
Mary

I'm lucky in that respect too. Never had any reaction to rue or even to
giant hogweed :~)
Jenny
Both Rue and Giant Hogweed contain the same chemical that causes the skin to
be sensitised to UV light.
My theory is that individual susceptibility varies according to skin tone
and to the time of year that you mess with these plants-i.e. the nasty
chemical is only active in higher concentrations at a certain time of year.
AFAIK most of the commercial garden centres have given up selling Rue due to
the potential problems/litigation.