Apium australe
| Apium australe | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 2' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Apium australe
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Germination can take a month or longer. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country.
Plants are likely to prefer a rich moist soil with some shade in the summer.
The crushed leaves smell strongly of celery[1].
The New Zealand form of this plant is now known as A. filiforme, (syn A. prostratum filiforme [q.v.]).
The Australian form of this plant has been moved to A. prostratum and only the S. American form is left under this name[K].
Range: Southern S. America.
Habitat: Damp places in all more or less open coastal habitats, less commonly in wet places inland to elevations of 75 metres in Tierra Del Fuego and north latitude to 35°s[2].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked[2]. A salty taste, it is used as a flavouring in soups etc. Used like celery[2]. The leaves can also be eaten raw but have a very strong flavour.
Root[2]. No further details.
Seed - used as a flavouring in soups etc.
Usage: Used for pads to make canoes watertight[2].
Pollinators: Flies, self
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Skin contact with the sap is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people[3].
Also Known As: A. prostratum. Lab.
Links
References
- ↑ Low, Tim. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson, 1989.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Moore, David. Flora of Tierra del Fuego. Anthony Nelson, 1983.
- ↑ Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.