Family:  Carrot (Apiaceae)

Annual, requiring 90 days to seed

(Monnier’s Snowparsley, She chuang zi)  Annual flowering to 18 inches, native to a wide distribution in Europe, India and Asia, especially China.  Some sources list this as a perennial but it has always been a dependable monocarpic flowering annual in my gardens.  The plant is similar in appearance to Queen Anne’s Lace, with bipinnate leaves and multiple upright stalks crowned by the white, umbelliferous flower that is typical to its family.   The entire plant is used in TCM, although it is the seeds which are most commonly employed.  Source of the compound known as osthole.  Traditional use: sexual stimulant.  Plant prefers an open, sunny situation, and is not particular about soil type, thriving equally well in loam and clay.   Space plants 1 foot apart.

Potted Plant, Certified Organically Grown