An Introduction to Field Botany

10/6/2020

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Purpose of this module: 1. Introduce you to the Apiaceae (Carrot) Family.

What you will learn: 1. This enormous family has over 3700 species and 434 genera. 2. This is the largest family of flowering plants. 3. This family brings us celery, carrots and parsnips plus provides us with many common herbs we use in our kitchens.

An Introduction to Field Botany

With Steven Horne, RH(AHG)

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Lesson Three: Apiaceae (Carrot) Family

• The Parsley or Carrot family Apiaceae consists of more than 3,700 species spread across 434 genera. It is the largest family of flowering plants. • Originally it was called Umbelliferea because flowers in this family grow in umbels • Many common kitchen spices belong to this family (parsley, caraway, coriander, dill, fennel, caraway, chervil and anise) • This plant also provides us with celery, carrots and parsnips

Family Characteristics • The most distinctive feature of this family is umbels (usually compound). • The tiny flowers have 5 sepals, 5 petals and 5 stamens. • Ovaries are inferior with two united carpels • Fruits are schizocarp and split into individually seeded carpels when dry

H. Zell / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

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Family Characteristics • Plants are herbaceous and can be annual, biennial or perennial herbs • Leaves are generally aggregated toward the base of the plant • Leaves are of variable size and alternately arranged • Leaves tend to be lacy and finely divided

Parsley Family Qualities

• Produces many aromatic herbs • Plants tend to be very open and airy • Flowers are small and spread out in their umbel patterns • Many plants have very deeply divided leaves that are very lacey in appearance • The plants often incorporate “air” into their structures in the form of hollow stems and stalks or chambers in the rhizomes

Parsley Family Energetics

• Tend to open things up and get them moving • Have a dispersive, airy quality • Many act as carminatives and expectorants • Open up the body’s tubes and passages

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Caution

• Many parsley family plants are very poisonous, such as water hemlock and poison hemlock • Because of the similarity in appearance of many parsley family plants positive identification is essential before harvesting or using • It’s wise to learn to identify the poisonous species so you can recognize them

Water Hemlock from Wikipedia

Cicuta Genus

• Commonly known as water hemlock • Four species of poisonous plants; the most poisonous plant in North America • Acts as a stimulant in the central nervous system, resulting in hyperactivity of brain cells, metabolic acidosis, hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, seizures and death. • Water hemlock illustrated here

Illustration from Wikipedia—Cicuta virosa

Conium Genus

• Consists of two species of highly poisonous perennial flowering plants native to Europe and the Mediterranean • Most familiar species is Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) • It is a weed known almost worldwide for its toxicity to domestic animals and human beings • Ingestion of its pyridine alkaloid coniine is usually fatal Photos from Wikipedia—Conium maculatum (Poison Hemlock)

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Poison Hemlock • Most familiar species is Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) • This was the herb used to execute Socrates • One characteristic of this plant is the purple markings on the stem

Poison Hemlock Flowers and Seeds

Angelica Genus • Consists of about 60 species of tall biennial and perennial herbs native to temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere • Some species are grown as flavoring agents or for their medicinal properties. Laplanders use Angelica roots as food and the stalks as medicine • Dong Quai (A. sinensis) • Used in TCM as a blood tonic, considered to be the female ginseng • Angelica (A. archangelica) • Western species used for women, respiratory congestion, digestion Angelica: Kat from St Albans, United Kingdom / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

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Bupleurum Genus

• Consists of 185 to 195 species of flowering plants native to the Mediterranean Basin and parts of North America • Some species are used as herbal remedies in Russia and China • Some species are currently threatened by habitat loss • B. chinense is used in TCM to clear liver congestion

Photos from Chinese herb CD – Bupleurm chinense

Carum Genus • 20 species native to the old world • C. carvi is commonly known as caraway • Caraway seeds have a pungent, anise- like flavor and are commonly used as a spice in rye bread • Caraway oil is used in desserts, liquors, curry and other foods, as well as a fragrance in soaps, lotions and perfumes • Roots may be cooked as a vegetable with parsnips or carrots. Photos from Wikipedia—Top: Carum carvi, Bottom: C. carvi (seeds)

Daucus Genus • 25 species • Carrot (Daucus carota) is the best known species • Wild carrot is also known as Queen Anne’s lace • Wild carrot root is edible when young • The crushed seeds were thought to be a form of birth control • Bears close resemblance to poison hemlock

Photos from Wikipedia—Daucus carota)

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Garden Carrot

Queen Anne’s Lace (Wild Carrot)

Heracleum Genus

• About 60 species, world-wide, only one native to North America • Commonly known as hogweeds or cow parsnips • Large plants with big leaves • Have some medicinal and food value properties, but may also cause photosensitivity

Photo from Wikipedia—Heracleum maximum

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H. maximum (Cow Parsnip)

• Only member of the Heracleum genus native to North America • Native Americans used the young leaves and stems for food. • They also used them to make poultices for bruises and sores. • An infusion of the flowers was rubbed on the body to repel flies and mosquitoes • May cause topical photosensitivity

Photo from Wikipedia—Heracleum maximum

Cow Parsnip Photos

Ligusticum Genus

• A genus of about 25 species from the Northern hemisphere • Includes osha (L. porteri) and Ligusticum • Ligusticum is one of the 50 primary herbs in Chinese medicine • It enters the liver, gallbladder and pericardium meridians • It promotes the flow of qi and blood and helps relieve pain and muscle spasms •

Osha by Steven Horne

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Ligusticum porteri (Osha) • Also known as Porter's lovage, Porter's licorice-root, lovage, wild lovage, Porter's wild lovage, loveroot, Porter's ligusticum, bear medicine, bear root and numerous other names • Has parsley-like leaves and umbels of white flowers • Grows at high elevations in areas of New Mexico, Colorado and Utah • Bears love the spicy, celery-like scent of the roots

Osha by Steven Horne

Osha Uses

• Osha is a specific in the treatment of viral infections, colds, flu, sore throat, and upper respiratory congestion • Flu with coughing and difficulty breathing (dyspnea), and acute bronchial pneumonia with dyspnea • Bronchitis, coughs, colds, pneumonia, fevers, sinusitis, rhinitis • Settling the stomach after vomiting • Topical antimicrobial for wounds • May be helpful for allergies • Pharyngitis, laryngitis and toothache • Note: Osha has been designated an endangered plant by conservationists

Lomatium Genus • Also known as biscuit root for its starchy edible roots • Consists of 70 to 80 perennial herbs native to western North America • Roots were eaten in various forms by Native Americans. Their flavor has been compared to celery, parsnip or stale biscuits • Lomatium dissectum has been used as herbal medicine for coughs and upper respiratory infections, including tuberculosis

Photos from Wikipedia—Lomatium disssectum

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L. Dissectum (Biscuit Root)

• Tea is made from leaves, stems and flowers • Stem is edible but tough. • Root is edible raw but has a peppery aftertaste that irritated the throat, so it was usually dried then ground for flour (hence the common name: biscuit root).

Lomatium dissectum. from Wikipedia

Uses for Lomatium

• Used for sinus, nasal and lung congestion, sore throats, hay fever, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis • Also used for chronic viral conditions: HIV, HPV, chronic fatigue, mononucleosis, viral pneumonia and stubborn viral infections • Laboratory studies also suggest it is antibacterial (wide range of bacteria) • Externally for sores, acne, burns, bruises, sprains, cuts wounds, broken bones, arthritic pain and dandruff. • Used for lung and urinary tract infections • Lyme Disease

Osmorhiza Genus

• A genus of perennial herbs known generally as Sweet Cicely or Sweetroot • Native to North America, but some grow in South America and Asia • Some species are used for medicinal purposes but have dangerous lookalikes • The seeds of this plant have barbs on the end, allowing them to stick to clothing, fur or feathers

Photo from Wikipedia— Osmorhiza claytonii

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Pastinaca Genus

• Pastinaca sativa is the parsnip • Parsnips are lighter in color but have a sweeter flavor than carrots. They are also richer in vitamins and minerals • Parsnips can be boiled, roasted or used in stews, soups and casseroles

Pastinaca sativa Photo from Wikipedia

Photo from Wikipedia Perideridia Genus Perideridia gairdneri

• A small genus of plants known generally as yampah or yampa • Once an important staple crop of Native Americans in Western North America, some species were harvested to extinction • Roots are crunchy and sweet, with excellent nutritional qualities • Yampa seeds were once used as a seasoning • Roots contain carbohydrates that provide energy and enhance physical endurance

Pimpinella Genus • A genus that includes: • Anise (P. anisum) • Burnet saxifrage P. saxifrage • Greater burnet saxifrage (P. major) • Anise has a licorice-like flavor and is typically used for digestive problems • It can also be used to flavor herbal products so they taste better • It the phytoestrogen anethole and has been used to treat menstrual cramps

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Apium Genus • About 20 species known as celery or marshwort • A. graveolens is both celery (var. dulce) and celeriac (var. rapaceum) • Celery is often used for healing as an aid to weight loss, kidney function and to reduce acidity of the tissues • The seeds are also used as a spice

Anthriscus Genus

• Comprises 12 species • Anthriscus cerefolium, commonly known as chervil is used like parsley to season poultry, seafood, young vegetables, salads, omelettes and soups • It is also useful as a digestive aid, for lowering blood pressure, and curing hiccups

Photo from Wikipedia

Levisticum Genus

• Contains only one species, Lovage (L. officinale) • Can be used in cooking like celery • Lovage root contains furanocoumarins which can lead to photosensitivity • The seeds can be used like fennel or anise

Photo from Wikipedia

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Lovage Photos by Me

Coriandrum Genus • Contains only one species (C. sativum) also known as coriander, cilantro or Chinese parsley • All parts are edible, but the fresh leaves are used in the cuisines of many countries • Seeds have a lemony citrus flavor when crushed • Used in holistic medicine as a carminative and a digestive aid and to help remove heavy metals from the body Photos from Wikipedia—Top:Coriandrum sativum, Bottom: C. sativum (flowers) © 2020, www.KnowYourWellness.org

Cilantro and Coriandar

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Cuminum Genus • C. cyminum, commonly known as cumin is native to India and the eastern Mediterranean • Seeds are used in whole or ground form in the cuisines of many different cultures • Second only to black pepper in popularity • Distinctive flavor and strong, warm aroma due to its essential oil content

Anethum Genus

• Anethum graveolens commonly known as Dill, plant can be perennial or annual, and is the sole species of this genus • Fernlike leaves are aromatic and used to flavor pickles, salmon, borscht, and other foods • Best when used fresh, as it loses its flavor rapidly if dried • It’s easy to grow

Tepeyac / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Dill • Dill seeds have been used to soothe the stomach after meals • Dill is used as a flower remedy for people who are scattered in many directions • It helps people focus • It is a solar plexus remedy, helping a person stay centered and balancing the digestive tract

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Foeniculum Genus • About a dozen species. • F. vulgare, commonly known as fennel is the principle species • Fennel is used for culinary and medicinal purposes • It is commonly used with catnip for colic

Petroselinum Genus • Two species • P. crispum or garden parsley is the most common species • Widely cultivated as an herb, spice and vegetable, with Italian leaf and curly leaf being the most popular cultivars • Parsley is used as a gentle urinary remedy • It is also a breath freshener

Photos from Wikipedia—Top:Petroselinum hortense, Bottom: P. crispum

Centella Genus • Genus contains 2-3 species • Most well known is gotu kola (C. asiatica) • This annual herb is native to India, Australia and Indonesia • Used as a leafy green in Sri Lankan cuisine; as a salad green in Indonesian cuisine • Also used as a tonic

Centella asiatica Photos from Wikipedia

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Gotu Kola Uses • Leprosy and skin disorders • Dermatitis • Wounds and sores • Dysentery • Tuberculosis • Jaundice • Hematuria and hemoptysis • Strengthening the nerve and brain cells, increase intelligence and memory • Enhancing longevity