This species was previously treated in a wider sense to include a New Zealand form (now treated as the distinct species Apium filiforme (syn Apium prostratum filiforme)) and an Australian form, which is now known as Apium prostratum[, ].

Common Name:

General Information

Apium australe is a prostrate to erect, much-branched, herbaceous, perennial plant growing around 60cm tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

Skin contact with the sap is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people[].

Botanical References

Range

Southern S. America.

Habitat

Damp places in all more or less open coastal habitats, less commonly in wet places inland to elevations of 75 metres in Tierra Del Fuego and north latitude to 35°s[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Flies, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are likely to prefer a rich moist soil with some shade in the summer.
The crushed leaves smell strongly of celery[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[]. A salty taste, it is used as a flavouring in soups etc. Used like celery[]. The leaves can also be eaten raw but have a very strong flavour.

Root[]. No further details.

Seed - used as a flavouring in soups etc.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Used for pads to make canoes watertight[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Germination can take a month or longer. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring.