Sium suave
Walter.
Water Parsnip, Hemlock waterparsnip
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What to Eat
Edible parts: Root
Condiment. Root - raw or cooked. Crisp and delicious, it has an agreeable nutty flavour. The root is considered to be edible in the spring and the autumn but it so closely resembles some very poisonous plants that it should be considered unsafe to eat. The aromatic leaves are used as a relish. Some caution is advised - see the notes above on toxicity.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
Northern N. America to N. Asia in China, Japan, Korea and Russia.
TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia), Russian Federation (Habarovskij kraj, Primorye, Amur, Kamcatskij kraj, Magadanskaja oblast, Sakhalin) NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia), United States (Alaska, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida (north), Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah)
How to Identify
Sium suave is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
How to Grow
Prefers a light, rich, moisture retentive soil in full sun.
Propagation: Seed - sow late winter to early spring in a cold frame. The seed can be slow to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they are large enough. Otherwise, grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in the following spring. Division in early spring just before new growth begins. Use the side roots. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Medicinal Uses
Analgesic EpilepsyAn infusion of the crushed root has been used as a poultice to bring relief from the pain of a broken limb. A decoction of the roots has been used by women in the treatment of epilepsy.
