Cryptotaenia canadensis
(L.) A.DC.
Japanese cryptotaenia, Japanese parsley
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Summary
Source: WikipediaCryptotaenia canadensis, the Canadian honewort, is a perennial plant species native to the eastern United States and eastern Canada. Its young leaves and stems can be used as a boiled green or seasoning similar to parsley. The parsniplike roots can be cooked and eaten.
Description
A perennial normally grown as an annual. It has a strong taproot. It grows 90 cm high and spreads 50-70 cm wide. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 10 cm long and the leaflets are sword shaped and have teeth. The flowers are white and in loose heads.
Edible Uses
Young leaves, stems and flowers can be eaten raw or cooked — used as a potherb or added to salads, with a flavour somewhat reminiscent of celery. The root is edible cooked. Seeds are used as a flavouring for cakes, breads and biscuits.
Traditional Uses
The roots are boiled in salty water and served with oil. The leaves and stems are used to garnish salads and soups and cooked as a vegetable. The leaves are boiled then eaten with oil and salt. The seeds are used for seasoning. They are used to flavour cakes and bread. The stems are candied in sugar.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It suits cooled places. It withstands frosts well. It can grow in shade. It can be grown in the lowlands in Indonesia. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.
Where It Grows
Asia, Australia, Canada, China, Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, North America*, Pacific, SE Asia, Slovenia, USA,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed or by root division.
Propagation
Sow seed in a greenhouse in April. Germination is usually rapid; prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in early summer. The ideal germination temperature is around 25°c, though seed will germinate at higher and lower temperatures. Seed can also be sown in early autumn. Divide plants in spring or autumn.
Other Uses
None known
Other Information
It is a cultivated food plant.
Notes
There are 6 Cryptotaenia species. Chemical composition: Protein = 2.3%. Fat = 0.23%. Carbohydrate = 4.4%. Ash = 2.1%. Contains a small amount of fragrant oil.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Honewort white chervil, Honewort, Japanese honewort, Japonski petršilj, Mitsuba, Salderi Jepang, Trefoil, Wild chervil
References (24)
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- Brown, D., 2002, The Royal Horticultural Society encyclopedia of Herbs and their uses. DK Books. p 184
- Coll. mem. 5:42. 1829
- Crawford, M., 2012, How to grow Perennial Vegetables. Green Books. p 134
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