Hill celery, Fangfeng
Saposhnikovia divaricata

Family: Apiaceae

What it is like

A robust herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 30-80 cm high. The rootstock has one bud at the end. This produces a singly stem. The leaves at the base and lower down are divided several times and are oval or triangle shaped. They are 7-19 cm long and across. The end segments are 2-3 cm long by 2-7 mm wide. The upper leaves are smaller and less divided. The flowers are yellow and small.

Where it is found

It is a cold temperate plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia

How it is used for food

The leaves and flowers are boiled and used as tea. The young shoots and leaves are eaten raw. They are also boiled, stir-fried and added to soups. The red stems are used as a garnish on fish dishes. The seeds are used to flavour meat.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, flowers - tea, roots, seeds - flavouring

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bangpung, Bofu, Fang feng, Siler root

Synonyms

Apinella seseliodes Kuntze; Cachrys seseloides (Hoffm.) M. Bieb.; Dichoropetalum seseloides (C.A.Mey.) Pimenov & Kljuykov; Ferula seseloides C.A.Mey.; Johrenia seseloides (Hoffm.) Koso-Pol.; Johrenia sieversii Koso-Pol.; Johreniopsis seseloides (C.A.Mey.) Pimenov; Laser divaricatum (Turcz.) Thell.; Ledebouriella divaricata (Turcz.) M.Hiroe; Ledebouriella divaricata (Turcz.) Hiroë; Ledebouriella seseloides (Hoffm.) H.Wolff; Rumia seseloides Hoffm.; Saposhnikovia seseloides (Hoffm.) Kitag.; Siler divaricatum (Turcz.) Benth. & Hook.f.; Stenocoelium divaricatum Turcz.; Trinia dahurica Turcz. ex Besser; Trinia seselioides (Hoffm.) Ledeb.;