Greek petros — rock, Selinum, classical name for this herb.

Aromatic biennial herbs with stout taproots and stems with old dead leaves at the base. Leaves 1-3-pinnate. Fruit more or less ovoid.

Seed.

P. crispum has leaves rich in Vitamin C; it is used widely as a flavouring in cooking, generally with salads and meat dishes.

Curled and dissected leaves with a very distinctive smell when crushed.

2 species from Europe.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Apiaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.