Lovage
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Lovage (Template:IPAc-en Script error: No such module "Respell".; Levisticum officinale) is a perennial plant, the sole species in the genus Levisticum in the family Apiaceae, subfamily Apioideae.[1][2] It is native to Afghanistan and Iran.
It has been long cultivated in Europe and the leaves are used as a herb, the roots as a vegetable, and the seeds as a spice, especially in southern European cuisine. Its flavour and smell are reminiscent both of celery and parsley, only more intense and spicier than either. The seeds can be used in the same way as fennel seeds.
Description
Lovage is an erect, herbaceous, perennial plant growing to Script error: No such module "convert". tall,[3] 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 Script error: No such module "convert". 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, Script error: No such module "convert". diameter, produced in globose umbels up to Script error: No such module "convert". diameter; flowering is in late spring. The fruit is a dry two-parted schizocarp Script error: No such module "convert". long, mature in autumn.[3]
Taxonomy
Carl Linnaeus used the basionym Ligusticum levisticum in Script error: No such module "Lang". to refer to lovage.[4] Levisticum officinale was described later by W.D.J. Koch and published in Script error: No such module "Lang". in 1824.[5]
Etymology
The name lovage is from love-ache, ache being a medieval name for parsley; this is a folk-etymological modification of the older French name Script error: No such module "Lang"., from late Latin Script error: No such module "Lang"., in turn thought to be a modification of the earlier Latin Script error: No such module "Lang"., 'of Liguria' (northwest Italy), where the herb was grown extensively.[6] In modern botanical usage, both Latin forms are now used for different (but closely related) genera, with Levisticum for (culinary) lovage, and Ligusticum for Scots lovage, a similar species from northern Europe, and for related species.[6]
Distribution
Levisticum officinale is native to Afghanistan and Iran,[7] but has been introduced to most of Europe, and parts of Southeast Asia, North and South America.[7]
Health concerns
Lovage root contains furanocoumarins which can lead to photosensitivity.[8]
Uses
The leaves can be used in salads, or to make soup or season broths, and the roots can be eaten as a vegetable or grated for use in salads. Its flavour and smell are reminiscent both of celery and parsley, only more intense and spicy than either. The seeds can be used as a spice in the same way as fennel seeds.[9]
The plant has long been cultivated in Europe, the leaves being used as a herb, the roots as a vegetable, and the seeds as a spice, especially in southern Europe.[9]
- In the Netherlands, lovage leaves are traditionally cooked with white asparagus and salt[10]Template:Better source needed and served with boiled eggs.[11]Template:Irrelevant citation
- In Ukraine, lovage (in Ukrainian любисток/liubystok) is considered an aphrodisiac. Traditionally, an infusion prepared from lovage leaves has been used by women for rinsing their hair, in order to attract men with the pleasant spicy smell of the plant. Nowadays, hair conditioners can be bought which contain lovage extract to strengthen the hair. Lovage leaves and roots are also used in salads and as a spice in Ukraine.
- In Romania, the leaves are a preferred seasoning for the various local broths and are just as popular, in this respect, as parsley or dill.[12] Furthermore, the dried foliage and seeds are added to pickled cabbage and cucumbers both to aid in their preservation and to add flavour to them.[13]
- In the UK, an alcoholic lovage cordial is traditionally added to brandy as a winter drink and is or was popular in Cornwall where it was originally added to slightly spoiled smuggled brandy to hide the taste of salt.[14]
The roots, which contain a heavy volatile oil, are used as a mild aquaretic.[15]
In culture
A recommendation to cultivate lovage on the agricultural properties of Charlemagne appears in chapter 70 of Script error: No such module "Lang"., a text written around 800 AD about the maintenance of royal estates.Template:Efn[16]
Notes
References
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- ↑ a b Interactive Flora of NW Europe: Levisticum officinale (Lovage)
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". see also Species Plantarum
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- ↑ Information on Lovage Cordial Template:Webarchive
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External links
Template:Herbs & spices Template:Edible Apiaceae Template:Taxonbar Template:Authority control