Japanese cryptotaenia, Japanese parsley
Cryptotaenia canadensis

Family: Apiaceae

What it is like

A perennial normally grown as an annual. It has a strong taproot. It grows 90 cm high and spreads 50-70 cm wide. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 10 cm long and the leaflets are sword shaped and have teeth. The flowers are white and in loose heads.

There are 6 Cryptotaenia species. Chemical composition: Protein = 2.3%. Fat = 0.23%. Carbohydrate = 4.4%. Ash = 2.1%. Contains a small amount of fragrant oil.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits cooled places. It withstands frosts well. It can grow in shade. It can be grown in the lowlands in Indonesia. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Canada, China, Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, North America (country/location of origin), Pacific, SE Asia, Slovenia, USA

How it is used for food

The roots are boiled in salty water and served with oil. The leaves and stems are used to garnish salads and soups and cooked as a vegetable. The leaves are boiled then eaten with oil and salt. The seeds are used for seasoning. They are used to flavour cakes and bread. The stems are candied in sugar.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, root, stem, seeds, spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by root division.

Its other names

Local names

Honewort white chervil, Honewort, Japanese honewort, Japonski petršilj, Mitsuba, Salderi Jepang, Trefoil, Wild chervil

Synonyms

Chaerophyllum canadense (L.) Crantz; Deringa canadensis (L.) Kuntze; Sison canadense L.;