Alexanders - Smyrnium olusatrum
Alexanders - Smyrnium olusatrum
Edible plant - intermediate/advanced
Other common names: Alisanders, Horse Parsley, Syrnium
Scientific name meaning: The Greek word Smyrnion, meaning Parsley, is the orgina of the genus name Smyrnium. Olusatrum is derived from Latin and means "black garden herb". This is a reference to the black colour of its seeds
Use as a food The whole plant is strongly aromatic and can be too overpowering for some. It has a very strong celery taste. The young shoots and leaves can be eaten raw in salads, or cooked. The older leaves need to be cooked. The stems can also be eaten raw or cooked. The roots cans also be used, and should be cooked.
The black seeds of Alexanders can be put into a spice mill and ground to be used as a condiment
Hazards A member of the carrot family, so those with a celery allergy should do a tolerance test
Use in herbal medicine Has been used to treat menstrual problems and asthma, as well as being used as an immune system booster, in the past
If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner
Importance to other species Flowers provide an early food source for pollinators. It is eaten by the larvae of the Walker's Lanark Tortrix moth
Always stay safe when foraging. You need to be 100% sure of your identification, 100% sure that your foraged item is edible, and 100% sure that you are not allergic to it (it is good practice to always try a small amount of any new food you are consuming). If in doubt, leave it out!