Roman pimpernel, Tordylium, Small hartwort
Tordylium apulum
Family: Apiaceae
What it is like
A short, fairly stout herb. It can have hairs and is an annual plant. The stems are erect. The stems have ridges and is branched. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk and the leaflet lobes are oval and have teeth. The leaf lobes on upper leaves are narrow and untoothed. The flowers are in white umbels with 3-8 rays. There are bracts less than 10 mm long. The outer flowers have large petals with 2 equal lobes. This is 5-9 mm long and there are 4 smaller petals 4-6 mm long. The fruit are 5-8 mm long and have a pale beaded edge.
Where it is found
It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows on waste ground and sea shores.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Balkans, Bosnia, Crete, Croatia, Europe, France, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean, Portugal, Sicily, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye
How it is used for food
The young plants are eaten as a vegetable. They are boiled in mixtures and in soups.
Edible parts
Leaves, fruit - spice
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Boncuk otu, Calcandrisc, Davul cicegi, Davul otu, Kafkalithra, Misotu, Muzobrad, Spiccialiccia, Vrati muz