Black lovage, Alexanders
Smyrnium olusatrum
Family: Apiaceae
What it is like
A herb. It grows over 2 years or keeps growing from year to year. The plant grows 0.9-1.5 m tall. It spreads 45-90 cm wide. It has bright glossy leaves and a furrowed stem. The leaves are roundish and in groups of three. The leaves are divided 1 or 2 times and there are teeth along the edge. The upper leaves are smaller than the lower leaves. The flowers are yellow-green. The fruit are 7-8 mm long. The large black seed follow.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in damp places near roadsides and on the edges of woodland. It is often near the sea and on dunes and coastal cliffs. It suits hardiness zones 6-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Caucasus, Croatia, Cyprus, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Isle of Man, Italy, Libya, Mediterranean, Morocco, North Africa, North America, Portugal, Sicily, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA
How it is used for food
The seeds can be used for flavouring or pepper substitute. They have a celery flavour and are also used in soups and stews. The young shoots and leaf stalks are blanched and used in salads. The roots are boiled and served with oil or used in soups. They are also eaten raw by shepherds and children.
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Stems, leaves, spice, root, flower buds
How it is grown
Leaves need to be blanched to remove the bitterness.
Its other names
Local names
Alexander buds, Apio caballar, Baldiran, Cannela, Dag kerevizi, Elhiyyar, Gelendor, Goret, Horse parsley, Kokar baldiran, Lhyyar, Lisciannaru, Macerone, Vrati muz, Yabani kereviz