”This plant splits the crowd due to its strong aroma especially when in flower. I spent the day gardening near the sea and have fermented the whole plant and with permission the roots along with the previous year’s seeds. They are tasting delicious and I do like them and often use the root in distillations and the unfurled flower head like broccoli florets the seeds as a spice like black pepper on steroids.
GeorgeFlavour Fred
** care must be taken with this family as mentioned in a few videos including deadly Poison Hemlock, Hemlock Water Dropwort and more… A member of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) often referred to as the umbellifers or carrot family. Historically known to grow closer to the sea in the Mediterranean & Atlantic but does love growing inland. Introduced to Britain by the Romans and known as the “Pot Herb of Alexandria”. It divides the crowd as its strong celery and another potent fragrance is not always appreciated. It’s fragrance is said to smell like sap resin myrrh (gathered from Commiphora myrrha) which is how it gets its scientific name as “Smyrnium” being the Greek for myrrh, “Olus” meaning pot herb & “atrum” meaning black referring to the seeds which I’ve used to flavour my ferment.
A member of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) often referred to as the umbellifers or carrot family. Historically known to grow closer to the sea in the Mediterranean & Atlantic but does love growing inland. Introduced to Britain by the Romans and known as the “Pot Herb of Alexandria”. It divides the crowd as its strong celery and another potent fragrance is not always appreciated. It’s fragrance is said to smell like sap resin myrrh (gathered from Commiphora myrrha) which is how it gets its scientific name as “Smyrnium” being the Greek for myrrh, “Olus” meaning pot herb & “atrum” meaning black referring to the seeds which I’ve used to flavour my ferment.
Similarly with its flavour – a marmite plant some say. Known to Theophrastus and Pliny the Elder, its roots are diuretics, its leaves make a healing juice for cuts and its crushed seeds were a popular condiment.
With its glossy green to dark green leaves with an oval shape to each that are in a group of 3 with blunt serrations. The umbel flower/seed heads that have a strong aroma tempting in flies to pollinate over bees once pollinated green bulging seeds form that are eventually black. The stem is like a rounded celery stalk and often with a purple gradient. It loves it by the coast along roads, cliffs and much more but does grow inland.
According to Culpeper it was an herb of Jupiter, and he recommended the aforementioned Alexander pottage. Culpeper also noted:
“It warms a cold Stomach, and opens stoppages of the Liver and Spleen, it is good to move Women’s Courses to expel the After-birth, to break Wind, to provoke Urine, and help the Strangury [painful urination caused by bladder diseases or kidney-stones]. It is also effectual against the biting of Serpents.”
