Spignel (Meum athamanticum), packet of 30 seeds

$3.95

Family: Carrot (Apiaceae)

Hardy to Zones 6 to 9.

Herbaceous perennial native to England.  Archaic herb that knowingly accompanied the Pilgrims to the New World. That is, the Pilgrims carried the seeds, knowing that the plant would be useful (it wasn’t one of those stowaway herbs that made it to the new world in ship ballast.)  Also more on the knowingly part–it is possible that the herb itself knew, in some way, that it was being carried, so this knowingness could have conceivably been a part of the Pilgrim’s and the Herb’s reality perception.  But back to Spignel.  The entire plant is coumarin-scented, and the roots are edible and sweet, like parsnips.  Traditional medicinal uses (TWM): leaf and root of this carminative herb were used in the treatment of stomach complaints, upper respiratory catarrh, urinary infection and menstrual woes.  Culpeper mentioned that the dried, ground roots could be mixed with honey to make a “licking medicine.” That is, a medicine one ingests by licking it, not a medicine to improve one’s ability to lick.  Although as they say practice makes perfect.  Plant prefers full sun and moist, fertile soil.  Sow in early spring. Space 6 inches to 1 foot apart.

30 seeds/pkt, Open Pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s

In stock

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  1. Question

    Trish

    Can this herb be dried and used in teas and tinctures?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Trish, Yes, and the activity is mild. Traditional medicinal uses (TWM): leaf and root of this carminative herb were used in the treatment of stomach complaints, upper respiratory catarrh, urinary infection and menstrual woes. r

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    • rac

      would this survive in a tropical environment like southeast asia or hawaii? thanks!

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hello, I don’t think this would be a good choice for the tropics, it is specifically a cold temperate region plant. r

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    • Johanna

      Can the roots be eaten as a food (ie more quantities than medicine) without problems? Is this more like dill plus root, or more like parsley/parsnip?

      Ok for zone 9 California lowland (cooler)?

      Thanks 🙏

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi Johanna! roots edible and sweet like parsnips. we’ll know more about these soon, we were able to get some really good ones going this year. r

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    • Julia H.

      Richo – can you give us an idea of the average size of the full-size roots? Any info on days to maturity?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi julia, sorry this software isn’t working right right now. i can only see the beginning of your question. spignel makes both spreading and carrot-like roots and it takes years to establish. richo

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    • Cheyenne (verified owner)

      Hi. I bought some of these from you to try growing in 2024. I notice this website listing says to space 1 foot apart but the packet says 6 inches. Which would be best? Also can this be harvested the first year or does it take more than one year? Thanks!

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Cheyenne, Thanks for contacting. Anything like this that is taprooted will take close spacing for optimized growth–6 inches to a foot apart is fine. I have some of these that are in their third year and expoected to come back and flower again in the spring. I think for optimal root value the plant should be harvested at the end of the first growing season–for the purpose of seedmaking it is likely to require 2 or 3 years. richo

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