Scotch lovage, Scottish lovage, Scotch parsley, Sea lovage, Beach lovage
Ligusticum scoticum

Family: Apiaceae

What it is like

A plant which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1 m tall. It spreads 1 m wide. The stem is erect and grooved. It has a few branches. The leaves are arranged in threes. They are glossy dark green. The flowers are white and pink. They are in umbels at the ends of branches.

Oil stored leaves retain their Vitamin C throughout winter.

Where it is found

It is a cold temperate plant. It will grow in most soils. It needs a moist protected sunny position. It is frost resistant. It cannot tolerate drought. It grows on cold salty coastlines. It suits hardiness zone 4.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Arctic, Australia, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Europe, Faroe Islands, Ireland, Japan, Korea, North America, Norway, Russia, Scandinavia, USA

How it is used for food

It is sometimes used as a vegetable. It can be eaten raw of boiled. The young shoots and leaf stalks are blanched and used as a celery substitute in salads. It is also used as a flavouring in soups and stews. The pods can be cooked and eaten. The roots are chewed. The seeds are dried and ground as a condiment.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, seeds, spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Angelica hultenii (Fernald) M. Hiroe; Angelica scotica Lam.; Apium ternatum Schltdl. ex Schult.; Meum scoticum Baill.; Petroselinum ternatum Mutel;