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Meum athamanticum - Jacq.

Common Name Spignel
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Grassy places in mountainous districts[17], usually on limestone soils[200].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Spain, Germany and the Balkans.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Meum athamanticum Spignel


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Meum_athamanticum0.jpg
Meum athamanticum Spignel
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:BS_Thurner_Hof

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Meum athamanticum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, 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 moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses: Condiment

Root - cooked[1, 5, 61, 177]. Used like parsnips[183]. Leaves - used as a condiment in soups, stews and vegetable dishes[9]. They add a subtle sweetish flavour[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Stomachic

The herb is diuretic, emmenagogue and stomachic[61].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Grows well in almost any fertile well-drained moderately retentive soil in a sunny position[200]. This species was formerly cultivated for its edible root[61]. All parts of the plant, especially the roots, are aromatic with a scent like melilot (Melilotus officinalis)[245].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer or the following spring[K]. Division in autumn[111]. Large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Jacq.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Klaus   Sun Nov 18 2007

The root of the plants we have in our garden is rather to be used as a spice: the taste is too intense to eat bigger amounts. At the moment I´m working on davyd.de/allmende

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Subject : Meum athamanticum  
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