Caraway

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Biennial

Native distribution

Europe, West Asia

Biocultural value

A popular seasoning since Classical times, caraway seeds were also used by Arab physicians for soothing the digestive system. Seeds are used in rye bread, cakes, casseroles, vegetables, soups, stews, pork roasts, and to flavor the liqueur Kummel.

Location

Robison Herb Garden

Source of plant

Pinetree Garden Seeds

Description

Glabrous biennial to 60cm; stems slender, striate. Leaves 2-3-pinnate, segments to 2.5cm, linear-lanceolate to linear, often pinnatifid; petiole short, base sheathing. Umbels compound, to 4cm diameter; rays 5-16, unequal; involucre of few bracts often absent; involucel of few bracteoles or absent; flowers mostly bisexual, white, occasionally pink. Furit 3-6mm; mericarp with 5 slender, rounded ridges.

USDA Hardiness Zone

3

Special characteristics

food, medicinal/pharmaceutical