Habitat
Type: open woods, shady grassy areas, often near water courses
Other: not on chalk

General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: perennial
Height: up to 30 cm
Other: delicate plant

Leaf
Shape: pinnate upper almost thread like

Root
Type: tuberous
Colour: dark brown papery skin, cream coloured inside
Size: 1-5 cm
Depth: 5 or more cm

Flower
Arrangement: umbel
When: May to June
Colour:

Member of the carrot family. There are a number of deadly poisonous plants in this family, with great superficial resemblance to edible plants. It is therefore advisable to be very careful when identifying plants in this family, and only consume them if you are completely sure of correct identification. See special note on the Umbelliferae family.

all year - best from July to March

Flavour
Rating and Description:
sweet, nutty, carrot-like

How to Consume
raw

Special preparation
remove skin

Nutrition
starch, sugar

Used as ...
food

Collection
Each plant has one round or lobed tuber which may be at some depth, and possibly to the side of the plant. Follow the root which may easily break if not handled with care. It is best to collect from plants growing in loose soil.

Note
Please read notes on collecting roots in the "root" section on the Parts page.

Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed

Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use

Other:
caution

General Glossary

• pinnate: with series of leaflets on each side of central stalk
• umbel: flower cluster with stalks joined in centre to form flat or curved surface; umbrella-like