Family: Apiaceae
Herbaceous biennial, sometimes perennial. Native to the Meditterannean,
Syria and the Canary Islands. Carried by the Romans on their marches
of conquest, Alexanders has been used from an early date as a spring vegetable
and fortifying tonic. The flower buds can be pickled like cauliflower.
This is a significant and stately historical herb, which will elicit great
curiosity from those visiting your garden. Cultivation: Extra
care. The seed must be sown in the fall or very early spring, as
it requires a period of moist, cold conditioning before it will sprout.
However, germination is dependable and the seedlings produced are large
and vigorous. Thin or transplant to 2 feet apart. Foliage and
flowers yellowish-green and fruits black, growing in the second year to
a height of 4-6 feet.
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