Smyrnium - Alexanders, Black Lovage, Horse Parsley

DESCRIPTION: Black Loveage, Horse Parsley and Alexanders; these are all common names for this herb. At one time, Alexanders were grown as a major culinary and medicinal plant, but are now hardly seen in today's herb garden. This biennial is large and resembles celery. They grow from 3 to 5 feet high and their dark stems are topped by glossy, 3-part leaves and bunches of white flowers. The leaves, stems, flowers and seed buds may all be eaten.

POTTING: These plants need to be watered and fed often. When the plants are a foot tall, snap off the outer stems and leaves and cook them like celery. In mid-season, prune the stems to keep the plants 2 feet tall or lower. In the fall, cover them with tall baskets to blanch the leaves and stem tips; this makes them sweet and tender and they are good in salads. The stems can be cooked like asparagus.

PROPAGATION: Start seeds outdoors in shaded beds in late summer. Transplant the seedlings to a sunny area in the fall. Mulch the seedlings in regions with harsh winters. The following year, mulch and water the seedlings often.

VARIETIES: S. olusatrum.

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