Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum)
Alexanders
(Smyrnium olusatrum)
Alexanders are a common sight in coastal areas and many a hedgerow especially, in the south of the UK.
Although biennial, it is an easy matter to establish a productive clump of alexanders
in you perennial veg patch as they will self-seed easily if you leave the seed-heads on to mature and shed themselves.
These plants are said to have been introduced by the Romans for their succulent stems, and were certainly present in monastery gardens for the same reason. Picked just before the flowers open the leaf stems are cut at soil level, trimmed and boiled for about 5 mins then served with butter, salt and pepper... They can also be added to stews and the young leaves can be eaten raw early in the year.