Apium graveolens

Taxonomy and growth

Family

Umbelliferae

Genus

Apium

Life cycle

biennial

Height

0.6 m

Spread

0.25 m

Fertility

Self fertile, Flies, Self

Flower type

hermaphrodite

Pollinators

Flies, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked^[16][3]. Mainly used as a flavouring in soups etc^{[15][18][20][14]}. They can be eaten raw but have a very strong flavour^[16]. They are toxic if consumed in large amounts^[11]. Seed - a flavouring. Used in small quantities to flavour soups and stews^[11]. An essential oil from the seed is also used as a flavouring^[14][3]. Root - cooked^[19].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Wild celery has a long history of medicinal and food use. it is an aromatic bitter tonic herb that reduces blood pressure, relieves indigestion, stimulates the uterus and is anti-inflammatory^[11]. The ripe seeds, herb and root are aperient, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, nervine, stimulant and tonic^{[13][18][9][4]}. Wild celery is said to be useful in cases of hysteria, promoting restfulness and sleep and diffusing through the system a mild sustaining influence^[13]. The herb should not be prescribed for pregnant women^[11]. Seeds purchased for cultivation purposes are often dressed with a fungicide, they should not be used for medicinal purposes^[11]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried^[11]. The whole plant is harvested when fruiting and is usually liquidized to extract the juice^[11]. The seeds are harvested as they ripen and are dried for later use^[11]. 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^[12]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the herb^[20]. It is used in treating rheumatism and kidney complaints^[20].

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The growing plant is an insect repellent, it repels the cabbage white butterfly so is a good companion for brassicas^[7].

Environment

Range

Central and southern Europe, including Britain, to temperate areas of Africa and Asia.

Habitat

Ditches, by rivers and in other damp locations, especially near the sea in salt marshes^[20][5][2].

Shade tolerance

partial shade

Water

moderate

Hardiness

Zone 6+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy, clay

Soil pH

acid, neutral, alkaline

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

No

Drought

intolerant

Salinity

tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a rich moist soil in sun or semi-shade^[11], but with some shade in the summer^[16]. It is tolerant of saline soils^[11]. The plants are fairly hardy, though they can be damaged by hard frosts^[11]. Wild celery is the parent of the cultivated celery (A. graveolens dulce) as well as celery leaf (A. graveolens secalinum) and celeriac (A. graveolens rapaceum). This entry only deals with the wild celery, the other plants are dealt with separately. A very aromatic plant, the aroma being most noticeable when the foliage is bruised. The growing plant is a good companion for leeks, tomatoes, French beans and brassicas^[6].

Related plants

• Apium annuum
• Apium australe
• Apium filiforme
• Apium graveolens dulceCelery

References

1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

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3. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

   ↩1↩2

4. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

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5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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6. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

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7. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

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8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

9. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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10. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

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11. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11

12. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

13. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

14. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

15. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

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16. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

17. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

18. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

19. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

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20. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4