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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Ligusticum scoticum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Seed Shoots Stem
Edible Uses: Condiment

Leaves, flowers and young shoots - raw or cooked[2, 4, 5, 100]. Strong and not very pleasant[115]. Superb in salads[172]. The leaves are usually blanched in order to make the flavour milder[61, 183], though this also reduces the nutritional value[K]. A celery-like flavour, it is used as a seasoning in salads, soups etc[183]. Another report says that the flavour is more like parsley[245]. Stem - used as a flavouring in soups, stews etc[5, 17]. A celery-like flavour[238]. The green stem is peeled and eaten[183]. Root - raw or cooked[2, 5, 161]. A sweet flavour[161]. Seed - ground into a powder and used as a flavouring in soups and stews[172, 238, 245]. A sharp, hot taste it is used in the same ways as pepper[245]. The young shoots and roots are occasionally candied like angelica[183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Aromatic Carminative Deodorant Stimulant

The root is aromatic and carminative[4]. It is used in the treatment of hysterical and uterine disorders[4, 238]. The seeds are sweetly aromatic and have been used as a carminative, deodorant and stimulant[4, 172, 238]. They are also sometimes used for flavouring other herbal remedies[4].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Deodorant

Scented. Deodorant.

Special Uses

Food Forest Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position[1, 200]. Dislikes shade. Succeeds in dry soils[238]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238]. Scottish lovage has occasionally been cultivated as a pot herb, though it has been largely supplanted by celery[1, 4, 17]. All parts of the plant are aromatic when bruised, the aroma being likened to a mixture of parsley, angelica and pear skin[245]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is a tap root similar to a carrot going directly down [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - the seed only has a short period of viability and so is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in the autumn. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible in a greenhouse or cold frame[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer if they have grown large enough. Otherwise, keep them in a cold frame for the first winter and plant them out in early summer. Division of the rootstock in early spring. Make sure that each section of root has at least one growth bud. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Ligusticum brachylobum		Perennial	1.0	-		LMH	N	M	0	2
Ligusticum canadense	Canadian Licorice Root	Perennial	0.0	0-0		LMH	SN	M	2	1	0
Ligusticum canbyi	Osha	Perennial	1.2	3-6	M	LMH	FS	M	3	0	2
Ligusticum filicinum	Fernleaf Licorice Root		0.0	-		LMH	SN	M	0	1
Ligusticum hultenii	Hulten's Licorice Root	Perennial	0.0	-		LMH	N	M	2	0
Ligusticum jeholense		Perennial	0.7	-		LMH	N	M	0	2
Ligusticum mutellina	Mountain Lovage, Alpine lovage	Perennial	0.5	5-9		LMH	N	M	1	1
Ligusticum porteri	Porter's Licorice Root	Perennial	0.9	5-9		LMH	N	DM	1	3
Ligusticum sinense	Chuang Xiong	Perennial	1.0	5-9		LMH	N	M	0	3
Ligusticum wallichii	Chuan Xiong	Perennial	1.0	-		LMH	N	M	0	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Ligusticum scoticum - L.