Practical
Plants

Smyrnium olusatrum

Alexanders

a biennial member of the Smyrnium genus in the family Umbelliferae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial
Height
1.2 m
Spread
0.7 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 and young shoots - raw in salads or cooked in soups, stews etc[6][13][17][3][11][12][2][5]. The plant comes into growth in the autumn and the leaves are often available throughout the winter[13][14]. They have a rather strong celery-like flavour and are often blanched (by excluding light from the growing plant) before use[5]. Leafy seedlings can be used as a parsley substitute[5]. Stem - raw or cooked[6][13][17][3][11][12][15][2]. It tastes somewhat like celery, but is more pungent[4][9]. The stem is often blanched (by excluding light from the growing plant) before use[5]. Flower buds - raw[3][14]. Added to salads, they have a celery-like flavour[K]. The spicy seeds are used as a pepper substitute[14][5]. Root - cooked. Boiled and used in soups, its flavour is somewhat like celery. The root is said to be more tender if it has been kept in a cool place all winter[5].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root
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 whole plant is bitter and digestive. It has been used in the past in the treatment of asthma, menstrual problems and wounds, but is generally considered to be obsolete as a medicinal plant[8].

Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Digestive

Environment

Range
Europe to Asia. Naturalized in Britain[4].
Habitat
Hedges and waste places, often near the sea[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - best sown in an outdoor seedbed in autumn and planted into its permanent position in late spring[1][7]. Germination can be slow[7]. The seed can also be sown in situ in spring.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in most soils but prefers an open sunny position in a well-drained moisture retentive soil[7]. Hardy to about -15°c[7]. At one time this plant was extensively grown for its edible leaves and stems but it has now fallen into virtual disuse, having been replaced by celery[1][6][11][12][16][5]. The seeds are highly aromatic with a myrrh-like scent[10]. A good bee plant.

References

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  3. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

  9. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩

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

    ↩

  11. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.

    ↩

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

    ↩

  17. Ceres. Free for All. Thorsons Publishers 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-7225-0445-4

    ↩1↩2

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