Bishop's weed, Queen Anne's lace
Ammi majus

Family: Apiaceae

What it is like

A small annual herb. It is slender and upright. It grows 1.5 m high and spreads 1 m wide. The leaves are light green and are divided 2 or 3 times. They are 15-20 cm long and divided into many finely toothed sword shaped leaflets. The flowers occur in large sprays and are white.

There are 10 Ammi species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. It is a hardy plant and grows in the sun.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Caucasus, Central Asia, Chile, China, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Europe (country/location of origin), Greece, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Libya, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), Middle East, Morocco, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sicily, Slovenia, South America, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The seeds are used as a spice or flavouring. They are used with meat and taste like thyme. The young stems are eaten boiled, fried or raw in salads. The basal leaves are mixed with Lavatera cretica (Malva multiflora) to make a vegetable dish.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds - spice, stems, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Ameo mayor, Ammey, Apio cimarrln, Baznaybuke, Berro cimmarln, Bisnaguinha-do-campo, Cicuta negra, Encaje, Anniri, Falsa biznaga, Sannirieh, Sberra, Sprovle, Tlaylan, Traylal, Velika peščenica, Wild celery

Synonyms

Apium ammi Crantz;