Apium graveolens (L) Wild Celery
NOMENCLATURE
Apium : from apis : a bee.
graveolens : strong smelling.
Celery: derives from the French celeri, from Italian seleri, plural of selero,
from Late Latin selinon, from Greek _____(selinon), "parsley".
OTHER NAMES : smallage.
OTHER NAMES : for Var. dulce : celeri, (France). Sedano, (Italy). Apio, (Spain). Sellerie, (Germany). Sederii, (Dutch). Sellerie, (Danish). Selino, (Greek). Selderei, (Russ). Celer, (Yug).
OTHER NAMES: for Var. rapaceurn : celeri-rave, (France). Sedano rapa, (Italy). Apio nabo,(Spn). Knol lensel lerie, (Germany). Knolselderij, (Dtch). Knoldesellerie, (Danish) Rapanoselino, (Greek).
BSBI Picture Link to Apium graveolens
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTI0N
TYPE : erect pubescent biennial. Hs. STATUS : mildly poisonous. HEIGHT : 3O-1OOcm
AROMA : strong. smell of celery. TASTE: warm. ROOTS : tap root.
STEMS : erect, strongly grooved. UMBELS : often leaf opposed, terminal, axillary.
Shortly pedunculate or sessile in the axil of a small ternate leaf, rays unequal.
LEAVES : lower simply pinnate parirs of stalked, coarsely toothed, segments 1-5cm, deltate
to rhombic lobed and serrate, lower stalked. Upper leaves sessile 3-fid or simply
pinnate, with 1 pair of lobes and a short petiole sheathing all its length. Upper stem leaves
ternate, narrowly rhombic to lancolate, subentire. Petiole slender with sheathing base.
Bracts absent. Cotyledons abruptly contracted into a petiole.
FLOWERS : greenish white. Petals entire, acute, the point shortly
reflexed. Styles form a stylopodium. Fl. 6-8.
FRUIT : 1.5-mm tiny, black, broadly ovoid, laterally compressed, smooth. Commisure narrow.
Carpels with 5 equal or unequal ridges. Carpophore present. Vittae solitary. Pedicels 2-4 mm.
Styles as long as stylopodium, recurved & appressed. Stigma a small knob. 2n=22.
HABITAT : damp places by rivers, ditches. Especially near the sea. Brackish, calcerous soils.
DISTRIBUTION : native. Local, near coast’s, rarer in N. up to S. Scotland. Ireland: whole
coast. Europe: to 56 N.. S.W.Asia. Macronesia. N. Africa. Introduced to temperate countries.
BSBI Distribution Map for Apium graveolens
MEDICINAL USES
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS : Seeds : essential oil. Flavone glycoside, apiin, falcarinon, carvecol.
EFFECT : Aphrodisiac, diuretic, tonic, reduces blood pressure, relieves indigestion,
stimulates the uterus, anti-inflammatory, sedative.
APPLICATION : homoeopathy : kidney complaints, rheumatic pain, gout, inflammation
of urinary tract. Externally for fungal infections, tumours. Juice pressed from leaves
& roots, 1 tbspn 3x times day. Excess causes miscarriage
HISTORICAL MEDICINAL USES
Used by Ancient Egyptians.
Carminative, stimulant, diuretic, tonic, nervine. Used in hysteria, promotes rest & sleep.
Combined with Scutellaria cutellaria for nervous cases with loss of tone, oil or fresh root.
Rheumatis with Coca & Darniana.
EDIBLE USES
Small amounts as mildly poisonous. Condiment to flavour cheese. Raw in salads, hors d'oerves.
Seeds as flavouring in soups & stews.
Selection over 2000 years, produced edible Celery. Cultivated variety originated in Venice,
in gardens of the Venetian Ambassador in Bishops Gate.
Var. dulce, Celery, grown for its petioles. Raw in salads, soups, stews, braised meat, veg dishes.
Var. rapaceum, Celeriac, grown for its edible swollen rootstock. Flavours dehydrated salt.
Cultivars 'Golden Self Blanching' & 'American Winter Green' grown without blanching.
GARDEN USES
Rich damp soil, sheltered position, in sun or part shade.
Tolerates saline soil. Seed spring. Prone to slugs.
EXTERNAL LINKS FOR Apium 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. (Crossover info with cultivated celery).
Wikipedia (EU) Plants For a Future (UK)
Bio Info (UK) National Center for Biotechnology Info (USA)
Journal Of Medicinal Plants (USA)
Center for New Crops & Plant Products (USA)
Bio Images (UK) APHOTOFLORA Images (UK)
Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages (AUSTRIA)
Global Info Hub on Inter medicine (MAL)
A Modern Herbal. M. Grieve (UK)
Medicinal Herb Info (USA)
'Online Guide To Umbelliferae Of The British Isles' Compiled By J.M.Burton 2002
