Alisander / Alexanders

Plant family

Umbellifers (Apiaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Semi-shaded

Water requirement

Wet

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Seeding distance

40 cm

Row spacing

20 cm

Seeding depth

0.5-1 cm

Instructions

Description

The alisander, horse rug, ghost yellow dandelion or smyrnerkraut belongs to the family of umbelliferae (Apiaceae). Alisander was cultivated in ancient times for its tasty root. Young shoots and leaves were used as vegetables and for seasoning. The taste is reminiscent of lovage and celery. The seeds are used whole or ground as a seasoning. Alisander grows up to 150 cm, very rarely 180 cm.

Growing tips

The plant is biennial, so for the following year can also be sown in late summer. It does not like lime soils and pricking out, so direct sowing. Can also be direct seeded from September-October. Cold germinator. Germination after 2-3 weeks at 5°C. Grows with hawthorn and blackthorn, in olive groves and orchards.