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Uses

Toxic parts

The plant can have a narcotic effect if it is eaten in very large quantities[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - raw or cooked. They are used as a flavouring in salads, soups etc[2][3][4][5][6] and the fresh leaves are probably the most widely used flavouring herb in the world[7]. The leaves have an aromatic flavour[8]. It is foetid according to another report[3], whilst another says that the fresh leaves have a strong bedbug-like smell[9].. The leaves should not be eaten in large quantities[10]. The fresh leaves contain about 0.012% oxalic acid and 0.172% calcium[11].

Seed - cooked. It is used as a flavouring in many dishes including cakes, bread and curries, it is also widely used to flavour certain alcoholic liquors[2][3][12][4][13][5]. The fresh seed has a disagreeable and nauseous smell, but when dried it becomes fragrant, the longer it is kept the more fragrant it becomes[3][10]. Plants yield about 1¾ tonnes per acre of seed[3]. The root is powdered and used as a condiment[14].

An essential oil from the seed is used as a food flavouring[4][15][6][16]

Unknown part

Leaves

Material uses

An essential oil from the seed is used as a food flavouring, in perfumery, soap making etc[4][15][6][17][16]. It is also fungicidal and bactericidal[18].

The growing plant repels aphids[19][20][1]. A spray made by boiling of one part coriander leaves and one part anise seeds in two parts of water is very effective against red spider mites and woolly aphids[1]. An oil from the seed is used for making soap[17]. The report does not make it clear if the essential oil or the fixed oil is used[K]. The seed contains about 20% fixed oil[11], this has potential for industrial use in Britain, it could become an alternative to oilseed rape though the oil content is a bit on the low side at present (1995). The oil can be split into two basic types, one is used in making soaps etc, whilst the other can be used in making plastics[21].

The dried stems are used as a fuel[17].

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Coriander is a commonly used domestic remedy, valued especially for its effect on the digestive system, treating flatulence, diarrhoea and colic[22][9]. It settles spasms in the gut and counters the effects of nervous tension[23].

The seed is aromatic, carminative, expectorant, narcotic, stimulant and stomachic[3][22][4][15][24][25][1][18]. It is most often used with active purgatives in order to disguise their flavour and combat their tendency to cause gripe[3][9]. The raw seed is chewed to stimulate the flow of gastric juices and to cure foul breath[11][7] and will sweeten the breath after garlic has been eaten[23]. Some caution is advised, however, because if used too freely the seeds become narcotic[3]. Externally the seeds have been used as a lotion or have been bruised and used as a poultice to treat rheumatic pains[23][7].

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Appetite stimulant'[26].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow April in situ[27][5]. The seed is slow to germinate and so on a garden scale it can also be sown in March in a cold frame. Sow a few seeds in each pot and then plant them out when they are growing away strongly in May[3]. The seed can also be sown in situ in the autumn[27]. Autumn sown plants will grow bigger and produce more seed.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Coriandrum sativum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a warm dry light soil[3][13][5]. Plants grown mainly for their seeds do well in partial shade, but when growing for the seed or essential oil a sunny position is preferred[18]. The plants dislike constant moisture[19] or too much nitrogen[28]. Another report says that coriander grows best when a cool damp spring is followed by a hot dry summer[18]. Coriander tends to run quickly to seed if the plants are too dry at the seedling stage[18]. Plants tolerate a pH in the range 4.9 to 8.3.

Coriander is often cultivated, both on a garden scale and commercially, for its edible seed[3][29], there are some named varieties[8]. The plant is fast-growing, ripening its seed without difficulty in Britain and it seems to be free of pests and diseases[21]. The seeds have been used medicinally and as a food flavouring since ancient times, and were introduced into Britain by the Romans[9]. In the Middle Ages they were added to love potions because of their reputation as aphrodisiacs[9]. The plants flowers are very attractive to pollinating insects[19][30][1].

Coriander is in general a good companion plant in the garden, helping to repel aphis and carrot root fly[18]. It grows well with anise, improving the germination rate when the two species are sown together[19][30][20][18], but it grows badly with fennel, where it acts to reduce the seed yield of the fennel[19][30][20][1][18]. Coriander also grows particularly well with dill and chervil[1].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Coriandrum sativum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Coriandrum sativum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Coriandrum sativum
Genus
Coriandrum
Family
Umbelliferae
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Illustration Coriandrum sativum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Coriandrum sativum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.61.71.8 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.003.013.023.033.043.053.063.073.083.093.103.113.12 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.7 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. ISBN 0-85613-067-2 (1979-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.59.6 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. ()
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.5 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    14. ? 14.014.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.415.5 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.3 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.117.217.3 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.218.318.418.518.618.718.818.9 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.119.219.319.419.5 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    20. ? 20.020.120.220.3 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
    21. ? 21.021.121.2 - Radio 4 Farming Programme, 25/08/95. - (1995-00-00)
    22. ? 22.022.122.2 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    23. ? 23.023.123.223.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    24. ? 24.024.1 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    25. ? 25.025.1 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    26. ? 26.026.1 Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd ISBN 0-9517723-0-9 (1993-00-00)
    27. ? 27.027.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    28. ? 28.028.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    29. ? Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press ISBN 0-12-136450-x (1975-00-00)
    30. ? 30.030.130.2 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-17" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

    "image:Illustration Coriandrum sativum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Facts about "Coriandrum sativum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyUmbelliferae +
    Belongs to genusCoriandrum +
    Has binomial nameCoriandrum sativum +
    Has common nameCoriander +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +, Leaves + and Seed +
    Has edible useCondiment + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageIllustration Coriandrum sativum0.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useEssential +, Fuel +, Fungicide +, Insecticide +, Oil + and Repellent +
    Has mature height0.45 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntihalitosis +, Aromatherapy +, Aromatic +, Carminative +, Expectorant +, Narcotic +, Stimulant + and Stomachic +
    Has primary imageIllustration Coriandrum sativum0.jpg +
    Has search namecoriandrum sativum + and coriander +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameCoriandrum sativum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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