Image of Meum athamanticum Jacq.

Description:

Slo.: planinski krbec - Habitat: alpine grassland, calcareous, skeletal ground; moderately steep mountain slope, south-west aspect, open place, full sun, exposed to direct rain; elevation 1.940 m (6.350 feet), average precipitations about 3.000 mm/year, average temperature about 0-1 deg C, alpine phytogeographical region. - Comment: This European plant, about one to two feet tall, belongs to Apiaceae = Unbelliferae. Celery, carrot or parsley also belong to this family. The defining characteristic of this very large and many times difficult for determination family is the inflorescence in the shape of simple or compound umbel (a flat-topped or convex inflorescence with pedicels arising from a common point, like the struts of an umbrella) and pentamerous flowers (their parts are arranged in sets of five). Meum athamanticum is widespread in the Alps and several other European mountains. Nevertheless, it is a quite rare plant (also protected by law in some countries) although it can be locally quite abundant. It is not difficult to recognize it. Its most characteristic feature is its three to four times divided leaves with the final segments, which are very, very thin, filamentous (Picture 7). Usually the flowers are white, but pink variants can also be found. The plant is aromatic and has been used in liquors and as variety of home remedies (diuretic, to control menstruation, stomach ailments, uterine complaints, etc.).Ref.:(1) K. Lauber and G. Wagner, Flora Helvetica, 5. Auflage, Haupt (2012), p 968.(2) M.A. Fischer, W. Adler, K. Oswald, Exkursionsflora fr sterreich, Liechtenstein und Sdtirol, LO Landesmuseen, Linz, Austria (2005), p 834.(3) A. Martini et all., Mala Flora Slovenije (Flora of Slovenia - Key) (in Slovenian), Tehnina Zaloba Slovenije (2007), p 399. (4) D. Aeschimann, K. Lauber, D.M. Moser, J.P. Theurillat, Flora Alpina, Vol. 1,, Haupt (2004), p 1106.