Smyrnium perfoliatum
| Smyrnium perfoliatum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Life Cycle: | Biennial |
| Height: | 5' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Smyrnium perfoliatum
Propagation: Seed - best sown in an outdoor seedbed in autumn and planted into its permanent position in late spring[1][2]. Germination can be slow[2]. Can also be sown in situ in spring[3].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils but prefers an open sunny position in a well-drained moisture retentive soil[1][2].
Range: S. Europe to Asia. Occasionally naturalized in Britain.
Habitat: Mixed oak woods[4].
Edibility: Leaves and young shoots - raw in salads or cooked in soups, stews etc[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. The plant commences growth in the autumn and the leaves are often available throughout the winter[6][13]. They have a rather strong celery-like flavour and are often blanched (by excluding light from the growing plant) before use[12]. Leafy seedlings can be used as a parsley substitute[12].
Stem - raw or cooked[5][6][7][8][9][10][14][11]. Tasting somewhat like celery[4], it is often blanched (by excluding light) before use[12]. This species is considered to be superior to the related S. olusatrum because it not only blanches better but is also more crisp and tender and not so harsh flavoured[12].
Flower buds - raw[8][13]. A celery-like flavour, they can be added to salads.
The spicy seeds are used as a pepper substitute[13][12].
Root - cooked. Boiled and used in soups. the root is said to be more tender if it has been kept in a cool place all winter[12].
Pollinators: Insects
Habit: Biennial
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Mabey, Richard. Food for Free. Collins, 1974.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ceres. Free for All. Thorsons Publishers, 1977.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Loewenfeld, Claire and Philippa Back. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Vilmorin-Andrieux. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Thompson, Robert. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son, 1878.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Sowerby, John. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. 1862.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Larkcom, Joy. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn, 1980.
- ↑ de Bray, Lys. The Wild Garden.