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Smyrnium perfoliatum - L.

Common Name
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Mixed oak woods[17].
Range S. Europe to Asia. Occasionally naturalized in Britain.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Smyrnium perfoliatum


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Meneerke_bloem
Smyrnium perfoliatum
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Meneerke_bloem

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Smyrnium perfoliatum is a BIENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedgerow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Shoots  Stem
Edible Uses: Condiment

Leaves and young shoots - raw in salads or cooked in soups, stews etc[2, 5, 8, 12, 27, 37, 115, 183]. The plant commences growth in the autumn and the leaves are often available throughout the winter[5, 52]. They have a rather strong celery-like flavour and are often blanched (by excluding light from the growing plant) before use[183]. Leafy seedlings can be used as a parsley substitute[183]. Stem - raw or cooked[2, 5, 8, 12, 27, 37, 53, 115]. Tasting somewhat like celery[17], it is often blanched (by excluding light) before use[183]. This species is considered to be superior to the related S. olusatrum because it not only blanches better but is also more crisp and tender and not so harsh flavoured[183]. Flower buds - raw[12, 52]. A celery-like flavour, they can be added to salads. The spicy seeds are used as a pepper substitute[52, 183]. Root - cooked. Boiled and used in soups. the root is said to be more tender if it has been kept in a cool place all winter[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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils but prefers an open sunny position in a well-drained moisture retentive soil[1, 200]. Self-sows freely with us in our Cornwall garden, in a suuny, sheltered position[K].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in an outdoor seedbed in autumn and planted into its permanent position in late spring[1, 200]. Germination can be slow[200]. Can also be sown in situ in spring[188].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan) EUROPE: Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, France, Portugal AFRICA: Tunisia

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
Smyrnium olusatrumAlexandersBiennial1.2 5-9  LMHSNM312

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

L.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

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