| Botany
An erect shrub, growing from 1 to
2.5 meters high. Leaves are compound, 3-pinnate, and up to 30 cm long.
The pinnae are 6 to 10, the upper ones are shortedd. Leaflets and ultimate
segments are very diverse, mostly lanceolate, 5 to 10 cm long; the terminal
segments are usually larger than the others and more often lobed, pointed
at the tip, sharply and irregularly toothed. Flowers are numerous, umbellately
arranged, shortly stalked, borne on terminal inflorescences in the upper
axils of the leaves, up to 15 cm long. Fruit is broadly ovoid, compressed
and about 4 cm long.
 Distribution
Planted in hedges around houses.
Cultivated for its hedge and its leaves, the latter for providing body
to florists' wreaths.
Parts utilized
Leaves, roots.
Uses
Folkloric
Leaves are powdered, mixed with salt
for wound healing.
In India, used as astrigent
and febrifuge.
Root used as diuretic.
In Cambodia, considered
a sudorific inhalant; also used for neuralgia and rheumatic pains.
Culinary
In Java,
used as food and condiment in lieu of celery and parsley.
The roots is agreeable, strongly aromatic, parsley-like.
Others
Leaves used by florists to give body to wreaths.
Studies
• Leaf Volatile Oil:
Study of fresh leaves yeielded 0.32% volatile oil, slightly yellow in color, with a grassy scent. It was highly positive for sesquiterpene. Mass spectroscopy showed bergamotene, oxygenated sesquiterpene, -elemene, ß-bourbonene, ß-cubebene, ß-bisabolene, farnesene, elemene among others.
Availability
Cultivated.
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