| Common Name : | Alexanders. |
| Binomial Name : | Smyrnium olusatrum |
| Family : | Apiaceae |
| Photo Taken : | Ireland |
Botanical Identity
Smyrnium olusatrum, commonly known as Alexanders, is a biennial or short-lived perennial herb in the Apiaceae (carrot or parsley) family. Native to the Mediterranean region, it was introduced to northern Europe by the Romans and has since become naturalized across much of the British Isles and coastal western Europe. It thrives in disturbed soils, roadsides, hedgerows, and near the sea, often forming dense patches in spring.
Plant Description
Smyrnium olusatrum can grow up to 1.5 meters tall, with stout, grooved stems that are often purplish at the base. The leaves are large, compound, and glossy green, consisting of three broad, toothed leaflets. Each leaflet can reach up to 10 cm in length and has a slightly fleshy texture. The lower leaves are long-stalked, while the upper leaves clasp the stem. The whole plant emits a strong, aromatic scent when bruised. It prefers moist, fertile soils and can tolerate partial shade, although it flowers best in full sun.
Flowers and Fruit Characteristics
The plant produces numerous small, yellow-green flowers arranged in large, rounded umbels, each composed of 10–20 rays. The flowers are not especially showy but are rich in nectar, attracting a wide variety of pollinating insects. Flowering typically occurs from April to June. After pollination, it forms glossy black, ridged fruits about 4–6 mm in size. These fruits are aromatic and were historically used as a spice, similar in flavor to celery or lovage seeds.
Uses and Cultural Significance
Historically, Smyrnium olusatrum was widely cultivated as a pot herb and vegetable before the rise of celery in European cuisine. Almost every part of the plant is edible: the young stems can be blanched and cooked, the leaves used in salads or soups, and the seeds and roots employed for flavoring. While it has fallen out of culinary favor, foragers and historical food enthusiasts are reviving interest in this once-essential herb. It also holds cultural interest as a Roman-introduced species that illustrates ancient foodways in Europe.
Photos of this Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum) were taken from the following locations:
1) March 2016: Bull Island, Dublin, Ireland.
Written by Lonely Traveler,
For blog icflora.blogspot.com
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