# Not so fast, plant arsonists **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [September 15, 2002, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-fast-plant-arsonists/128500 "2002-09-15T03:05:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-fast-plant-arsonists/128500/1 "2002-09-15T03:05:45Z")
The Cecil column on spontaneous combustion in plants contains one reference that is, at best, a gross exaggeration. It states that when you hold a match up to blooms of Dictamnus albus (the “gas plant”), the volatile oils released by the flowers will burst into flame. This story is mentioned by a number of gardening texts. But no gardening author I’ve ever read has said that they were able to do this. And I’ve never talked to anyone who confirmed that it happened to them. There are various excuses (it wasn’t warm enough, the humidity was wrong etc.) but a lack of evidence to suggest that one can routinely light Dictamnus blossoms with a match. So while I can’t rule out this event occurring sporadically, it seems to be more of an horticultural (urban) legend than fact. Perhaps one would have better luck lighting farts. ---
**Author:** ![Wikkit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c0e974/32.png) [@Wikkit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wikkit)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-fast-plant-arsonists/128500/2 "2002-09-15T05:56:35Z")
Welcome to the SDMB, **Jackmannii**. A link to column being discussed is useful: [Is there a bush that spontaneously bursts into flame to reproduce?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/020913.html) Perhaps they’re only really flammable in their native area? I’d think that there would have to be totally still air for a concentration to get high enough, as well as a good temperature. Then again, it does sound a bit unlikely. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-fast-plant-arsonists/128500/3 "2002-09-15T17:12:08Z")
Well, this is different, at least. [http://hortparadise.unl.edu/Newsrelease/GasPlant.htm](http://hortparadise.unl.edu/Newsrelease/GasPlant.htm) > [@](#): > > Allan Armitage, author of ‘Herbaceous Perennial Plants’ says “I have gone through many a match but have yet to see even a tiny spark. I have recently been told that it is the roots that emit this flammable stuff, but I have no intention of yanking up any plants to test them.” All the other gardening hits for “dictamnus flammable” have it as the seedpods, old flowers, and/or leaves. I did find “purportedly” and “sometimes” in a couple of places, but everybody else seems to accept it as fact. “Sometimes”. > **[Botany.com - Buckley Media - Exclusive Brokers for Botany.com](https://www.buckleymedia.com/botany.html)** > > botany, botany domain, botany.com, healthcare domains, healthcare brands, skincare brands, beauty brands, cannabis brands, fashion brands, buckley media group, premium domains for sale > [@](#): > > a flammable oil exudes from the leaves and seedpods and if a flame is placed near, will sometimes ignite without damaging the plant. “Purportedly”. [http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/codea/C500.shtml](http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/codea/C500.shtml) > [@](#): > > In hot weather, old flowers or seed pods emit a flammable oil which, on a windless summer evening, can purportedly be ignited with a match… ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-fast-plant-arsonists/128500/4 "2002-09-15T22:09:16Z")
Well, shucks and damnation, I read the title of Arnold W.'s “sticky” and figured a mention would substitute for a link. But thanks for repairing my omission, **Wikkit** , and hope you have a wonderful week in Muscatine or wherever the hell you’re from. And thanks to **DDG** for impressive research. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2002, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-fast-plant-arsonists/128500/5 "2002-09-16T05:13:38Z")
Cecil’s column has jogged a memory for me. A few years ago, while driving to work, I was listening to an all-news radio station as usual, and Charles Osgood was on with one of his daily commentaries. In this case I thought it was especially laughable. He said that someone in India had found a plant, and it had properties much like the one in Cecil’s column. The “discoverer” refused to show it to anyone until they paid him some major bucks. Scientists were, of course, skeptical. I couldn’t find anything about this on the web (surprise). Osgood didn’t have an email address, so I couldn’t get details from him. He also had a few critical words about scientists who wouldn’t consider something new. Of course, Osgood didn’t give a follow-up on this story, either (surprise again). I wonder if there’s any connection between the supposed flammability of this “gas” plant and Osgood’s story.