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Common Name: Skirret

General Information

Sium sisarum is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Original habitat is obscure, possibly in E. Europe or Asia.

Habitat

Not known in a truly wild situation but found as an escape from cultivation in damp places[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a light, rich, moisture retentive soil in full sun[, , ]. Requires an abundance of moisture in the growing season or the roots will be tough[, ]. Plants are tolerant of some shade[].
Plants seem to be resistant to all insects and diseases[].
Skirret was at one time often grown for its edible root but has fallen into virtual disuse[, , ]. This is a shame since the root is very tasty, easy to grow and relatively productive[]. The form Sium sisarum sisarum should be used, its root is fleshy and succulent, Sium sisarum lancifolium. (Bieb.) Thell. is sometimes offered but is unlikely to produce roots of culinary quality[].

Edible Uses

Root - raw or cooked[, , , ]. Firm, sweet and floury[] but with a small woody core[, ]. The roots have a very acceptable taste raw, that is somewhat like a cross between carrots and parsnip but with a nutty flavour. They can also be boiled, baked or added to soups etc[, ].
The roasted root has been used as a coffee substitute[, , ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter to early spring in a cold frame[, ]. It can be slow to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they are large enough. Otherwise, grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in the following spring. The seed is best sown in early mid spring in situ[, ].
Division in early spring just before new growth begins. Use the side roots to produce new plants[]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.