Smyrnium perfoliatum (L) Perfoliate Alexanders
NOMENCLATURE
Smyrnium : from Greek : _________ from : myrrh (aroma).
perfoliatum : perforated (leaves).
Alexanders : see Smyrnium olusatrum
BioPix (SWE) Picture Link for Smyrnium perfoliatum
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
TYPE : glabrous biennial. Hs.
ROOT: tuberous tap rot, resembling small turnip. Seedling has tuberous hypocotyl.
STEMS: solid, angled. narrowly winged on angles.. esp. near middle. Wings with
sparse, small stellate hairs. HEIGHT : 40—150 cm.
UMBELS: compound. 5—10 glabrous rays, papillose near apex, 1—4 cm. Peduncle
> or < than rays, winged on angles. Terminal hermph. Lateral male.
LEAVES: basal 2—3 pinnate or ternate, segments ovate, dentate, or lobed.
Cauline 3-10cm, simple, ovate, amplexicaul, crenate—serrate, entire, alternate.
Cotyledons contracted into a petiole.
FLOWERS: yellow. Sepals small, accrescent in fruit. Styles form a stylopodium. Fl. 5.
FRUIT: 3x5mm, brown—black, laterally compressed. Commisure constricted. Mericarps with
3 slender dorsal ridges. Carpophore present. Vittae numer ous, slender. Styles > than
stylopodiurn, recurved & appressed in fruit. Stigma capitate. 2n=22.
DISTRIBUTION: intro, cultivated as ornament. Persists as weed in flower beds in S. Shields,
Chelsea. Long grass of Queens cottage grounds, Kew. Cambridge University Botanic garden.
Native t.o S. Europe, N. to E. Czechoslovakia. S.W.Asia, N Africa.
BSBI Distribution Map for Smyrnium perfoliatum
EXTERNAL LINKS FOR Smyrnium perfoliatum
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.
GB Non Natives (UK) Plants For A Future (UK) Aussie Garden (AU)
Heritage Perennials (BRCOL) Jardin L'Encylopedie (FRA)
John Grimshaw Blog (UK)
'Online Guide To Umbelliferae Of The British Isles' Compiled By J.M.Burton 2002