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Apium graveolens secalinum - Alef.

Common Name Leaf Celery
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards If the plant is infected with the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, skin contact with the sap can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[65].
Habitats Not known in the wild.
Range A cultivated form of garden origin.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Apium graveolens secalinum Leaf Celery


http://flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago/3107210637
Apium graveolens secalinum Leaf Celery

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Apium graveolens secalinum is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked. A strong savoury flavour, they can be used as a flavouring in soups etc[200]. The leaves can also be eaten raw but many people find the flavour too strong[52]. They are more acceptable raw when used as a minor ingredient in a mixed salad[K]. Seed - a flavouring. An essential oil from the seed is also used as a flavouring.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Antiarthritic  Aperient  Carminative  Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Galactogogue  Nervine  Stimulant  
Tonic

Although not as medicinally active as wild celery, the cultivated forms of celery also have the same medicinal properties and, when used as an item of the diet, will have a similar effect upon the body. These medicinal uses are as follows:- Wild celery is an aromatic bitter tonic herb that reduces blood pressure, relieves indigestion, stimulates the uterus and is anti-inflammatory[238]. The ripe seeds, herb and root are aperient, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, nervine, stimulant and tonic[4, 7, 21, 165]. Wild celery is said to be useful in cases of hysteria, promoting restfulness and sleep and diffusing through the system a mild sustaining influence[4]. The herb should not be prescribed for pregnant women[238]. Seeds purchased for cultivation purposes are often dressed with a fungicide, they should not be used for medicinal purposes[238]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[238]. The whole plant is harvested when fruiting and is usually liquidized to extract the juice[238]. The seeds are harvested as they ripen and are dried for later use[238]. An essential oil obtained from the plant has a calming effect on the central nervous system. Some of its constituents have antispasmodic, sedative and anticonvulsant actions. It has been shown to be of value in treating high blood pressure[254]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the herb[9]. It is used in treating rheumatism and kidney complaints[9].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Repellent

The growing plant is an insect repellent, it repels the cabbage white butterfly so is a good companion for brassicas[20].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a rich light moist soil with some shade in summer[1, 16, 27, 37]. Prefers a sunny position and a pH between 6.6 and 6.8[200]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.2 to 8.3. Plants grow best in a climate with a mean temperature in the range 16 - 21°c, leaf growth is poor at higher temperatures, low temperatures can induce the plant to run to seed prematurely. Plants with 5 or more true leaves will flower following exposure to temperatures between 5 - 10°c for 10 days or more[200]. Leaf celery is often cultivated in many regions of the world, mainly for its edible leaves which are used as a flavouring in soups, salads etc. There are some named varieties and these can supply fresh leaves from late spring to the autumn[46, 183].. A good companion for leeks, tomatoes, French beans and brassicas[18, 201].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - germination can be erratic and the seed is best surface sow February in a greenhouse. The maincrop can be sown as late as mid-April. Outdoor sown seed rarely germinates satisfactorily[200]. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks at 15°c. Plant out in May. The seed can harbour certain diseases of celery, it is usually treated by seed companies before being sold but if you save your own seed you should make sure that only seed from healthy plants is used[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Aethusa cynapiumFool's ParsleyAnnual1.2 -  LMHFSNDM11 
Apium annuum Annual0.1 -  LMHSNM00 
Apium australe Perennial0.6 -  LMHSM301
Apium filiforme Perennial0.3 -  LMHSM30 
Apium graveolensWild Celery. Ajmod, Ajwain-ka-patta (Indian)Biennial0.6 5-9  LMHSM332
Apium graveolens dulceCeleryBiennial0.6 -  LMSNM422
Apium graveolens rapaceumCeleriacBiennial0.6 5-9  LMHSM422
Apium insulare  0.0 -  LMHSNM00 
Apium prostratumSea Celery, Prostrate marshwortPerennial0.6 0-0  LMHSM301
Sapium japonicum Shrub5.0 8-11  LMHNM10 
Sapium sebiferumVegetable Tallow, Chinese tallow, Popcorn Tree, Chinese Tallow TreeTree9.0 8-11 FLMHNM224

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Alef.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Barbara Barker   Thu Jun 26 2008

Any nutritional information on celery leaf? Thanks

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