Practical
Plants

Ligusticum scoticum

Scottish Lovage

a perennial member of the Ligusticum genus in the family Umbelliferae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

Leaves, flowers and young shoots - raw or cooked[8][12][13][2]. Strong and not very pleasant[3]. Superb in salads[6]. The leaves are usually blanched in order to make the flavour milder[14][7], though this also reduces the nutritional value[K]. A celery-like flavour, it is used as a seasoning in salads, soups etc[7]. Another report says that the flavour is more like parsley[11]. Stem - used as a flavouring in soups, stews etc[13][5]. A celery-like flavour[10]. The green stem is peeled and eaten[7]. Root - raw or cooked[8][13][4]. A sweet flavour[4]. Seed - ground into a powder and used as a flavouring in soups and stews[6][10][11]. A sharp, hot taste it is used in the same ways as pepper[11]. The young shoots and roots are occasionally candied like angelica[7].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Stem

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.

The root is aromatic and carminative[12]. It is used in the treatment of hysterical and uterine disorders[12][10]. The seeds are sweetly aromatic and have been used as a carminative, deodorant and stimulant[12][6][10]. They are also sometimes used for flavouring other herbal remedies[12].

Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Deodorant
Product or use
Stimulant

Environment

Range
Northwestern Europe, including Britain, from Denmark to Norway.
Habitat
Rocky coasts in northern Britain[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - the seed only has a short period of viability and so is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in the autumn. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible in a greenhouse or cold frame[9]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer if they have grown large enough. Otherwise, keep them in a cold frame for the first winter and plant them out in early summer. Division of the rootstock in early spring. Make sure that each section of root has at least one growth bud. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position[1][9]. Dislikes shade. Succeeds in dry soils[10]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[10]. Scottish lovage has occasionally been cultivated as a pot herb, though it has been largely supplanted by celery[1][12][5]. All parts of the plant are aromatic when bruised, the aroma being likened to a mixture of parsley, angelica and pear skin[11].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  3. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩

  4. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  10. 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

  11. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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