Garden lovage

Levisticum officinale, commonly known as lovage, is a robust herbaceous perennial of the carrot family (Apiaceae), believed to be native to the eastern Mediterranean and southwestern Asia and widely cultivated and naturalised throughout temperate Europe and North America. It grows from a stout, fleshy taproot into an erect, hollow, ribbed stem that may reach 1.5–2.5 m tall. The large lower leaves are bi- to tripinnately compound, with dark green, shiny, broadly ovate to rhombic, coarsely toothed leaflets that are reminiscent of celery in both appearance and aroma. The whole plant emits a strong, distinctive celery-like fragrance owing to a complex blend of phthalides and other volatile compounds. Compound umbels of small, pale greenish-yellow flowers are produced in early to mid-summer, attracting many small insects. The fruits are ellipsoid, prominently ribbed schizocarps 5–7 mm long that split into two winged mericarps at maturity. Lovage thrives in deep, moist, fertile soils in sun or partial shade.