Common Name: Candy Carrot

General Information

Athamanta cretensis is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a branched or unbranched stem up to 60cm tall from a long taproot[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food flavouring.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southern Europe - southeaster Spain to southern Germany, south to Italy and the Balkans

Habitat

Rocky places, mainly in mountains[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Athamanta cretensis is a plant of the montane zone in southern Europe, where it can be found at elevations up to 2,700 metres. It experiences hot, dry summers and cool to cold winters. It can tolerate some frost, down to at least -5°c for short periods, but cannot tolerate a combination of wet soils and cold weather.
Succeeds in most soils[]. Requires a well-drained soil in full sun[].
The long tap root is susceptible to rot in wet winters[].

Edible Uses

The seed is used as a flavouring[, ]. An agreeable liquor is made from it[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame[]. Germination usually takes place within 3 - 6 weeks at 13°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
The seed can also be sown in situ as soon as the soil is workable in the spring[].
Division in spring, with care[].