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Apium prostratum - Labill.                  
                   
Common Name Sea Celery
Family Umbelliferae
Synonyms
Known Hazards Skin contact with the sap is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people[218].
Habitats Coastal headlands and dunes, margins of brackish swamps and saline stretches of river banks[193].
Range Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria.
Edibility Rating  
Medicinal Rating  
Care
Moist Soil Semi-shade

Summary        

Physical Characteristics        
 icon of manicon of flower
PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Flies, self.The plant is self-fertile.


The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. and can grow in saline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland).It requires moist soil.



http://flickr.com/photos/8108294@N05
http://www.flickr.com/people/43206694@N03
  
Habitats        
 Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses                                          
Edible Parts: Leaves;  Root;  Seed.

Leaves - a salty taste, it is used as a flavouring in soups etc or as a garnish in a similar way to parsley[193]. The leaves can also be eaten raw but have a very strong flavour[193]. The stems can be blanched and used like celery[154], but they are small and fibrous so are not very worthwhile[193]. Root. No further details. Seed - used as a flavouring in soups etc.
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.



None known
Other Uses
Waterproofing.

Used for pads to make canoes watertight.
Cultivation details                                          
Prefers a rich moist soil with some shade in summer. The crushed leaves smell strongly of celery[193]. This plant used to be known as A. australe, along with a New Zealand form and a S. American form. Most botanists now only apply that name to the S. American form, the New Zealand form has been moved to A. filiforme (syn A, prostratum filiforme) whilst this Australian form is now known as A. prostratum[44, 193]. This plant has been suggested as having the potential to be bred as a cultivated vegetable[193].
                                                                                   
Propagation                                          
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Germination can be a bit slow, taking a month or more. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring.
Expert comment                                          
 
       
Author                                          
Labill.
                                                                                   
Botanical References                                          
265
                                                                                   
Links / References                                          

[44]Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand.
The standard work, in 3 volumes though only the first two are of interest to the plant project. Very good on habitats.
[154]Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.
A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
[193]Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia.
Well presented, clear information and good photographs. An interesting read for the casual reader as well as the enthusiast

Readers comment                                          
 
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Subject : Apium prostratum  
               

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