Smyrnium olusatrum
Alexanders
Smyrnium olusaentrum, commonly known as Black Fennel, is a perennial herb valued in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic properties. Rich in essential oils and bioactive compounds, this plant is utilized to support digestive health, reduce inflammation, and provide antioxidant benefits, making it a significant botanical in herbal pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Smyrnium olusatrum
- Family: Apiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Apiales, placing it in the family Apiaceae. Within this group, it is specifically identified by the genus Smyrnium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Apiales | WCVP |
| Family | Apiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Smyrnium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Smyrnium olusatrum, is known by various common names depending on the region and language. In Hungarian, it is referred to as osztottlevelű őzsaláta, while in Catalan, it is called aleixandri. German speakers know it as Pferdeepich, and in French, it is commonly termed Maceron. Additionally, in Dutch, the plant is identified as Zwartmoeskervel.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hu | osztottlevelű őzsaláta | Wikidata |
| ca | aleixandri | Wikidata |
| de | Pferdeeppich | Wikidata |
| fr | Maceron | Wikidata |
| nl | Zwartmoeskervel | Wikidata |
| pt | Smyrnium | Wikidata |
| es | Smyrnium | Wikidata |
| hr | Lesandra | Wikidata |
| ar | سمورنيون بقلي | Wikidata |
| cy | Dulys | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be found within Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, it is also distributed throughout Germany and the Netherlands. Its reach extends further south into Southwestern Europe, specifically to the Baleares. These varied locations highlight the broad geographical distribution of Smyrnium olusatrum.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Smyrnium olusatrum, is characterized by its distinct reproductive structures, specifically its fruits. The fruits are small, dry, and typically dehiscent, often appearing as schizocarps that split into two single-seeded segments upon maturity. In many medicinal contexts, the development and chemical composition of these fruits are studied for their specific bioactive properties, contributing to the overall therapeutic profile of the species.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Smyrnium olusatrum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Quercetin-O-hexoside, flavonoid, lycopene.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Quercetin-O-hexoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lycopene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |