Alexanders

Botanical Name: Smyrnium olusatrum

Other Names: Allsanders, horse parsley, skit, skeet

Habitat: Hedges and wild places especially near the sea

Description: Bushy solid stemmed, hairless, aromatic biennial. 60cm-120cm/2-4ft Leaves dark green glossy, toothed, groups of three. Flowers umbels yellow/green April-June Fruit: black and sharply rigged

Native to: Mediterranean

Harvesting: Leaves from base. Pinkish stalks

Constituents: Essential oil

Culinary Uses: Uncooked leaves in salads. Flower buds pickled Cook stems in boiling water for 10 minutes Seeds crushed as seasoning