Lovage


(Levisticum officinale, Koch.), a perennial, native of the

Mediterranean region. The large, dark-green, shining radical leaves are

usually divided into two or three segments. Toward the top the thick,

hollow, erect stems divide to form opposite, whorled branches which bear

umbels of yellow flowers, followed by highly aromatic, hollowed fruits

("seeds") with three prominent ribs. Propagation is by division or by

seeds n
t over three years old. In late summer when the seed ripens, it

is sown and the seedlings transplanted either in the fall or as early in

spring as possible to their permanent places. Rich, moist soil is

needed. Root division is performed in early spring. With cultivation and

alternation like that given to Angelica, the plants should last for

several years.



Formerly lovage was used for a great variety of purposes, but nowadays

it is restricted almost wholly to confectionery, the young stems being

handled like those of Angelica. So far as I have been able to learn, the

leaf stalks and stem bases, which were formerly blanched like celery,

are no longer used in this way.



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