Carum verticillatum (L)Koch Whorled Caraway
NOMENCLATURE
Carum : see C. carvi.
verticillatum : whorled.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
TYPE: erect glaborous perennial. Hr. ROOTS: fusiform, fibres thickening downwards.
STEMS: little branched, striate, solid, nearly leafless.
Surrounded at base by fibourous remains of petioles. HEIGHT: 30-60cm.
UMBELS: compound, 2-5cm diam. Flat topped. Rays 8-14, 1.5-4cm,smooth,
subequal. Peduncle > than rays, leaf opposed. Hermaphrodite.
LEAVES: simply pinnate, linear-oblong, mostly basal. Segments > than 20 pairs, palmately
multifid. Lobes 5mm, filiform, appear as if whorled, lowest 1mm, upper 10mm. Petiole short.
Cotyledons tapered at base, without petiole.
BRACTS: up to 10, lancolate, accumiate or aristate, short, acute, reflexed.
Bracteoles similar but not deflexed.
FLOWERS: white, pinkish. Calyx teeth minute. Petals notched with
inflexed point. Styles form stylopodiurn. Fl. 7-B.
FRUIT: 2.5mm long, ellipsoid, laterally compressed, smooth. Commisure narrow. Ridges
prominent, acute. Carpels with 5 slender ridges. Carpophore present. Vittae solitary, wide.
Pedicels 3-5mm. Styles > than stylopodium. Stigma slightly thickened. 2n=20.
HABITAT: acid marshes, damp grassy places.
DISTRIBUTION: native. Very local, W. Britain N. & W. Ireland. 1 location
Surrey & Aberdeen. W. Europe, N. to Scotland & Netherlands.
EDIBLE USES: Grown for fruits, used in flavouring in bread & liquors.
Leaves as a culinary vegetable. Roots as a vegetable.
