Lovage

Levisticum officinale Apiaceae

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Perennial

Native distribution

Southern Europe; Naturalized From PA, NJ and VA West to MO and NM

Biocultural value

Celery flavored leaves can be added fresh to salads. A long-lived perennial, its robust celery flavored leaves can be used as a celery substitute. Hollow stems can be used to sip tomato juice cocktails. Leaves are brewed into a celery-flavored tea, which is tasty with a bit of salt or sweetened with honey.

Location

Robison Herb Garden, Pounder Vegetable Garden and Climate Change Garden

Source of plant

Audry O'Connor

Description

Perennial reaching 6' in height; leaves ternately compound, segments coarsely toothed above the middle, flowers greenish-yellow in compound umbels subtended by narrow, deflexed bracts.

USDA Hardiness Zone

5

Special characteristics

other ethnobotanical uses, notable texture, food