Anethum graveolens (L.) Dill
NOMENCLATURE
Anethum : from Greek, ano : upward & theo : I run, ref. to rapid growth.
graveolens : strong smelling
Dill: from Norse dilla : to lull, ref. to carminative properties.
PREVIOUS NAMES : Peuedanum graveolens (Benth) Frutuctus anethi. Anethon, (Greek).
OTHER NAMES : aneth, fenouil batard, (France). Aneto, (Italy). Eneldo, (Spain). Dille,
(Dutch). Di id (Danish). Anithon, (Greek). Ukrop ogrodni, (Russia). Kaper, (Yug).
Wiki Picture Link to Anethum graveolens
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
TYPE : tall, erect, glabrous, bluish annual. HEIGHT : 70 cm
AROMA : unpleasent. Seeds pungent. TASTE : resembles Caraway. Hot, acrid.
ROOTS : spindle shaped. STEMS : hollow upright, smooth, shiny.
UMBELS : flat, terminal, compound. Rays 7-30, 9cm.
LEAVES: feathery. 3-4 pinnate, linear, triangular in outline. Lobes 15mm, filiform mucronate
Petiole < than the lamina, sheathing, pointed leaflets. Cotyledons tapered at base.
FLOWERS : yellow, numerous, hermaphrodite, small petals rolled inwards, sepals absent.
Styles form a stylopodium. Proposis sp. pollinates. Fl.7-8.
FRUIT : 4.5-6 mm. Flat, oval, compressed dorsally, dark brown, paler wings. Commisure broad.
Distinct marginal wings, 3 longditudinal ridges on the back with 3 vittae between them & 2
on flat surface. Carpophore present. Pedicles 4- 10mm, slender. Styles 1/2 as > as stylopodium, recurved and appressed. Stigma capitate. Seed very light. 1 oz = 25,000. Viability : 3 years.
HABITAT : waste places, rubbish tips.
DISTRIBUTION : intro by Romans. Cultivated in E.Anglia. Native to S Med. & S.Russia.
Wild with corn in Spain, Portugal. Coast of Italy. Rare in N.Europe.
BSBI Distribution Map for Anethum graveolens
CULTIVARS: 'Bouquet', 'Fernleaf', 'Mammoth'.
MEDICINAL USES
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS : essential oil, carvone, fatty oil, protein, tannin, mucilage, resin.
Volatile oil 3.5% pale yellow, darkening with age, hot acrid taste, a mix of
paraffin hydrocarbon and 40 to 60% d-carvone & d-limonene.
EFFECT : cooling, calms, tones digestive system, controls infection, diuertic.
PARTS: leaves, seeds.
APPLICATION : flatulence, abdominal pain, colic, dyspepsia, insomnia, stimulating lactation, hiatus hernia: infusion 2 tspn crushed seed per cup water, hot as possible before meals.
HISTORICAL MEDICINAL USES
Used by Ancient Egyptians.
Culpepper: "Strengthens the brain. Cureth the hicough, being boiled in wine. Seed to digest raw and viscious humors & used in medicines that serve to exple wind.
Stimulant, aromatic, carminantte, stomachic, administer 5 drops of oil on sugar cube. Dill water midly soporific for colds in babies.
EDIBLE USES
Young leaves for flavouring soups, sauces, salads egg, cheese, rice, meat, fish, poultry, spices
pickled cucumber, ingredient of gravadlax preserved salmon. In France flavours cakes, pastry.
Dill vinegar a popular condiment: soak seeds in vinegar. Crushed seeds fine condiment to salads
& conserves, curry powder, bread, gin.
1640, Receipt Book of Joseph Cooper, cook to Charles I 'Pickling Cucumbers in Dill' : Gather
tops of Dill, put layer in pan, add layer of cucumbers and another of Dill, and so on to top. Add
boiled water, salt, 1/4 pound of allom to a gallon of water. Press down with stone, cover.
1680, John Evelyn, ‘Acetaria Saletts’ : Dill & Collyflower Pickle : boil colly. Boil Dill stalk &
flower in the colly water, strain. Add Dill pepper, salt, vinegar to colly when cold.
l7th-l8thC : called ‘meeting house seeds’, eaten during long church services to calm them.
Subject to tithes in Jewish Talmud laws.
GARDEN USES
Sow 100lb seed per acre in spring, in well drained neutral to slightly acid soil in sun. Harvest
when lower seeds ripe, the rest mature in drying, thresh, dry seeds. Yields 7 cwt seeds per acre.
OTHER USES
Seed oil in perfumes, soaps, detergents, medicines, flavourings.
FOLKLORE
Mentioned as Anethon in St. Mathew xx iii, 23.
Drayton’s Nymphidia : “Therewith her Vervain & Dill, that hindreth witches of their will.”
Anon. : “Trefoil, Johnswort, Vervaine, Dill, hinder witches of their will.” Plant of Mercury.
EXTERNAL LINKS FOR Anethum graveolens
These links to trusted websites and institutions may provide in depth or additional information regards cultivation, chemistry, edibility, images etc. for the species. Links last updated Aug 2012.
Wikipedia (EU) Plants For a Future (UK)
Bio Info (UK) National Center for Biotechnology Info (USA)
Center for New Crops & Plant Products (USA)
Farming & Agri Org of UN (USA)
Egypt Bio Med Journal Global Info Hub on Int Medicine (MAL)
Herb Society of America(USA) Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages (AUSTRIA)
Docto Schar (USA) Pharmacognosy (USA) A Modern Herbal. M. Grieve (UK)
Medicinal Herb Info (USA)
'Online Guide To Umbelliferae Of The British Isles' Compiled By J.M.Burton 2002
