Cnidium monnieri Seeds | Cnidium
LATIN NAME: Cnidium monnieri
COMMON NAME: Cnidium
Plant Profile
Cnidium (Cnidium monnieri) is a herb in the parsley family. Cnidium stands in upright, branching clumps with feathery, finely divided leaves and small, white flowers in flat-topped clusters, and the whole plant carries the fine, airy look of the herb garden. It is a plant of open, sunny, deep, moist, well-drained ground. Few species give back so generously for so little effort.
Science & Biotechnology
Seed science, comparative botany and horticultural selection all touch on Cnidium monnieri, a representative of the parsley family with clear practical value. The practical point for growers is that this plant has been observed in gardens for so long that its behaviour holds few surprises.
Uses & Benefits
Cnidium brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. Cnidium is a fine, quiet herb of herb patch and study collection. It is a fine, quiet herb of open, sunny, deep, moist, well-drained garden. Cnidium seeds do well in a fine compost on an open shelf, watered lightly until the first true leaves show. Thereafter it wants only the ordinary attentions any garden plant receives.
Cnidium seed, She Chuang Zi, is a classical Chinese herb for skin and intimate health, and its coumarin osthole is one of the most studied natural coumarins, with research spanning bone, skin and metabolic effects.
Growing from Seed
Starting Cnidium from seed is simple and satisfying. Scatter the seed evenly over a loose seed compost, cover to no more than its own depth, and keep the pot moist and bright. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
Given the right start, Cnidium is a long-term garden companion. Fresh seed sown into evenly moist compost is most of the battle won.
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