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Lovage (Levisticum officinale) -
Perennial
The Garden Lovage is
one of the old English herbs that was formerly very generally cultivated, and is
still occasionally cultivated as a sweet herb. It is a true perennial
and hence is very easy to keep in garden cultivation; it can be propagated by
offsets like Rhubarb, and it is very hardy. Freshly-gathered leafstalks of Lovage (for
flavouring purposes) should be employed in long split lengths.
This stout,
umbelliferous plant has been thought to resemble to some degree our Garden
Angelica, and it does very closely resemble the Spanish Angelica heterocarpa
in foliage and perennial habit of growth. It has a thick and fleshy root, 5 or 6
inches long, shaped like a carrot, of a greyish-brown colour on the outside and
whitish within. It has a strong aromatic smell and taste. The thick, erect
hollow and channelled stems grow 3 or 4 feet or even more in height. The large,
dark green radical leaves, on erect stalks, are divided into narrow wedge-like
segments, and are not unlike those of a coarse-growing celery; their surface is
shining, and when bruised they give out an aromatic odour, somewhat reminiscent
both of Angelica and Celery. The stems divide towards the top to form opposite
whorled branches, which in June and July bear umbels of yellow flowers, similar
to those of Fennel or Parsnip, followed by small, extremely aromatic fruits,
yellowish-brown in colour, elliptical in shape and curved, with three prominent
winged ribs. The odour of the whole plant is very strong. Its taste is warm and
aromatic, and it abounds with a yellowish, gummy, resinous juice. Lovage is of easy
culture. Propagation is by division of roots or by seeds. Rich moist, but
well-drained soil is required and a sunny position. In late summer, when the
seed ripens, it should be sown and the seedlings transplanted, either in the
autumn or as early in spring as possible, to their permanent quarters, setting
12 inches apart each way. The seeds may also be sown in spring, but it is
preferable to sow when just ripe. Root division is performed in early spring.
The plants should last
for several years, if the ground is kept well cultivated, and where the seeds
are permitted to scatter the plants will come up without care.
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