Lovage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lovage |
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Levisticum
Hill
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L. officinale
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| Levisticum officinale W.D.J.Koch
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Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a tall perennial plant.
Contents
Description
Lovage is an erect, herbaceous, perennial plant growing to 1.8–2.5 m (5.9–8.2 ft) tall, with a basal rosette of leaves and stems with further leaves, the flowers being produced in umbels at the top of the stems. The stems and leaves are shiny glabrous green to yellow-green and smell somewhat similar to celery when crushed. The larger basal leaves are up to 70 cm (28 in) long, tripinnate, with broad triangular to rhomboidal, acutely pointed leaflets with a few marginal teeth; the stem leaves are smaller, and less divided with few leaflets. The flowers are yellow to greenish-yellow, 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) diameter, produced in globose umbels up to 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in) diameter; flowering is in late spring. The fruit is a dry two-parted schizocarp 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long, mature in autumn.
Uses
Lovage leaves can be used in salads or to make soup, and the roots can be eaten as vegetable or grated for use in salads. Lovage seeds can be used as a spice. In the UK, lovage cordial was traditionally mixed with brandy as a winter drink.
Images for kids
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A lovage plant beginning to bloom in June, 2.78 m (9 ft 1 in) tall
See also
In Spanish: Levisticum officinale para niños
