Smyrnium perfoliatum

RHS Plant Profile
perfoliate alexanders
Annual Biennial

This plant is listed as an invasive non-native species in Great Britain – see Cultivation section for details An upright biennial with stout, ribbed stems, green basal leaves up to 20cm long, and shorter, bright, yellow-green upper leaves surrounding the stem. Open umbels of tiny, yellow-green flowers are produced in the second spring

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Smyrnium are erect, branching biennials with broadly oblong, divided lower leaves and rounded upper leaves. In late spring and early summer they produce branched umbels of small, greenish-yellow flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, N Africa, Turkey, Caucasus

How to Grow

Cultivation

This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981) as an invasive non-native species. Although not banned from sale, it is an offence to plant or cause it to grow in the wild in Great Britain. See advice on invasive non-native species for further information

Propagation

See cultivation notes

Pests

See cultivation notes

Diseases

See cultivation notes