Apium nodiflorum

[raymondo]

Does anyone know this plant? I bought a plant today labelled Aethionema cordifolium. Not only is it not the aforementioned plant, it's not even related. It turns out that the plant I bought is a relative of celery, commonly called Fool's Watercress, aka Apium nodiflorum.
It actually tastes quite pleasant, like it would make a nice addition to a salad as a flavouring. I do wonder, though, whether it is safely edible.

[ianpearson]

It's a UK native wild plant, but I have never seen it described as an edible. The inclusion of 'fool's' in its common name would suggest that it is not useful (or edible?). But that's speculation.

[canadamike]

It is described as being toxic in here

www.herbier.sesa-aude.com/spip.php?article699

[raymondo]

That's interesting. Apparently, it is/was used in the Westcountry in England as an addition to various pies and pasties, but only as a herb, so not in great quantities. I think I'll just plant it as an ornamental!

[stevil]

Here's a short extract from an article I've written about this one:

"Not included in the major databases on edible plants such as PFAF and Cornucopia II, this perennial celery has traditionally nevertheless been one of the most popular wild sourced plants in the western Mediterranean countries from Spain to Cyprus. Otherwise, it is found in the wild in France and in the British Isles. Throughout this range, it cohabits with Watercress with which it is often confused (hence its common name). In the Mediterranean countries it is more often used in salads than many other wild edibles, but is also used in soups, and is an ingredient in the Tuscan wild soup Minestrella. Be absolutely sure of your identification of this plant with a good flora if you are harvesting from the wild as there are poisonous look-alikes in similar habitats. Its taste is a mild celery taste, certainly not as good tasting as Celery, but not bad either."

I first came across this plant as an edible on a visit to Florence (Firenze). Whilst long queues snaked past the entrance to the garden (for the surrounding art galleries), I had the garden more or less to myself ;D! And what a treasure I found in there - a fantastic collection of over 100 wild local Tuscany edibles . Here's the sign for this one, telling the visitor that the leaves are used in salad.

[raymondo]

Okay, so now I want to be sure. I'll have to wait till it flowers, then find a proper botanical description to make a definitive identification. For the plant I have, I wouldn't describe the flavour as celery-like, though it certainly looks like celery.

[lieven]

Reminds me of Mitsuba, aka Japanese parsley. Edible, even tasty according to most (not really to me) and poisonous according to other sources. Well, as soon as I read about that poisonous possibility, I ripped my Mitsuba plants: they had just started to self-seed & spread over half the bed.

[Thom]

I do wonder, though, whether it is safely edible.

It sure is Ray. You've probably already figured that out,
but some more reassurance may help.

I was sent it a while ago from a friend of mine who sold this plant at www.tropicalfoodforest.com in NQ.

I'm certainly a huge fan of Apium nodiflorum, I've also heard it
referred to as 'Lebanese cress'.

Distinct carrot flavour IMO.

Here's one of mine growing in one of my raised beds.

[raymondo]

It looks good en masse Thom. Thanks for your post. Perhaps there are different strains of this plant floating around. I wouldn't describe the taste of mine as carrot-like. It may also be seasonal I guess. I'll try it again when the weather here warms up a bit.
The name Lebanese Cress (or sometimes Turkish Cress) usually refers to Aethionema cordifolium, which this plant is often sold as.
PS Nice to see another Aussie posting here. My son and his family live in Dayboro, just a little north west of you.

[Thom]

I wouldn't describe the taste of mine as carrot-like. It may also be seasonal I guess. I'll try it again when the weather here warms up a bit.

lol, could just be my lifestyle beaten taste buds though.

The name Lebanese Cress (or sometimes Turkish Cress) usually refers to Aethionema cordifolium, which this plant is often sold as.

Ahh ok, well now I understand where some of the confusion
with this plants common name is coming from - lol, now I'm just adding to it!

PS Nice to see another Aussie posting here. My son and his family live in Dayboro, just a little west of you.

It's great to be posting here, I only just discovered this forum.

Yes, I know Dayboro, beautiful place. My mother in law used to teach
at Dayboro primary school from memory.

Thanks for the reply Ray.