94 :MEDICINAL IIEP.BS AXD POISONOUS PLANTS 



Common Coriaxj^eu {Coriandniin sativum). — This 

 plant, although not a native, is found occasionally in 

 the neii>:hbourhood of towns. As the fruit contains a 

 valuable volatile oil, the plant is extensively cultivated. 

 It is a hardy annual, growing about 2 feet high, and 

 bearing white flowers in June or later, according to the 

 time of sowing. The fruit is shown in section in fig. 59. 

 It has an agreeable aromatic odour, esi)eeially when 

 bruised, and also an agreeable taste. The volatile oil 

 which it contains is made up to the extent of 90 per cent 

 of coriandrol, which is valuable as a stinmlant and has 



aromatic and stomachic properties. The 

 leaves are also in demand for flavouring 



soups and for dressing salads. 



For the cultivation of Coriander, seeds 

 are sown in warm positions in spring and 



tioii ofFi^it of autumn. It grows on ordinary soils. Be- 

 coruuider fore the War Coriander was imported from 



Bombay, Morocco, Russia, and Germany. 

 Its price to-day is more than double what it was in 

 1914, when it fetched from IG-b*. to 30^'. a cwt. 



Celeiiy (Apium graveolens), — It is worth noting that 

 the dried fruit of the Celery produces a volatile oil which 

 is used medicinally a.s a stinmlant and for curing flatu- 

 lency. Tlie Celery of the gardens has been derived by 

 careful cultivation and selection from the Britisli wild 

 Celery. The latter, however, is suspect, its root, although 

 in shape and odour resembling tliat of the cultivated 

 Celery, is very acrid and not flt for eating. 



Review of the Umhell if ene.— The Umbellifers of this 

 country that are either poisonous or medicinal fall readily 

 into two classes — the Aromatic series, including Celery r 

 Coriander, Caraway, Anise, Fennel, and Dill: and the 

 non-aromatic poisonous Cow Parsnip, Water Dropwort, 

 \Yater Hemlock, and Hemlock. The f olio win o- outstantl- 



