Apium australe

Family: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae

What it is like

Apium australe is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

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.

Southern S. America.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Leaves - raw or cooked. A salty taste, it is used as a flavouring in soups etc. Used like celery. The leaves can also be eaten raw but have a very strong flavour. Root. No further details. Seed - used as a flavouring in soups etc.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Used for pads to make canoes watertight.

Waterproofing: Does what it says. See also Pitch and Oil.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

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. 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.

Propagating it: 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.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness:

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Skin contact with the sap is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

A. prostratum. Lab.