Rue, Ruta chalepensis, is native to the Middle East and is still widely grown, especially by rural people. It is a perennial plant and a member of the same family as the citrus fruits, and like them has a pungent oil throughout. There have been some reports of reactions to this plant including photosensizatation. The flowers are bright yellow. Villagers use the plant as a herbal tea or as a flavoring for black olives. Rue is mentioned only in Luke 11:42.
