This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Sium sisarum
  • Skirret

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Sium sisarum has 0 edible uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Root - raw or cooked[1][2][3][4]. Firm, sweet and floury[5] but with a small woody core[160, K]. The roots have a very acceptable taste raw, that is somewhat like a cross between carrots and parsnip but with a nutty flavour. They can also be boiled, baked or added to soups etc[183, K]. The roasted root has been used as a coffee substitute[6][7][8].

Unknown part

Coffee

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Sium sisarum.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Sium sisarum.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter to early spring in a cold frame[9][4]. It can be slow to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they are large enough. Otherwise, grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in the following spring. The seed is best sown in early April in situ[9][4]. Division in early spring just before new growth begins. Use the side roots to produce new plants[9]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

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



Cultivation

Prefers a light, rich, moisture retentive soil in full sun[9][4][10]. Requires an abundance of moisture in the growing season or the roots will be tough[5][10]. Plants are tolerant of some shade[11].

Plants seem to be resistant to all insects and diseases[12].

Skirret was at one time often grown for its edible root but has fallen into virtual disuse[1][13][7]. This is a shame since the root is very tasty, easy to grow and relatively productive[K]. The form S. sisarum sisarum should be used, its root is fleshy and succulent, S. sisarum lancifolium. (Bieb.) Thell. is sometimes offered but is unlikely to produce roots of culinary quality[14].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Sium sisarum. 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 Sium sisarum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Sium sisarum
Genus
Sium
Family
Umbelliferae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[13][14]
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
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
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
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1.2 x meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Illustration Sium sisarum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Sium sisarum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Sium sisarum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Illustration Sium sisarum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Sium sisarum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Illustration Sium sisarum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Illustration Sium sisarum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Illustration Sium sisarum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Sium sisarum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Sium sisarum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Sium sisarum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Sium sisarum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Illustration Sium sisarum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber (1960-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    6. ? 6.06.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
    11. ? Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    12. ? Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987. ()
    13. ? 13.013.1 ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

    "image:Illustration Sium sisarum0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Sium_sisarum&oldid=80910"
    Facts about "Sium sisarum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyUmbelliferae +
    Belongs to genusSium +
    Has common nameSkirret +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Root +
    Has edible useCoffee substitute + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imageIllustration Sium sisarum0.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height1.2 +
    Has primary imageIllustration Sium sisarum0.jpg +
    Has search namesium sisarum + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameSium sisarum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +