Lovage (Levisticum officinale, W.D.J.Koch 1824)

Identity

Lovage (Levisticum officinale W.D.J.Koch, 1824), also known as garden lovage, is an herbaceous perennial in the Apiaceae. It is the only accepted species of Levisticum. Carl Linnaeus described it in 1753 as Ligusticum levisticum; Wilhelm Daniel Joseph Koch placed it in a separate genus in 1824. ^{1 7}

The English word lovage derives from love-ache, a folk reshaping of Old French levesche. Medieval ache meant parsley and related plants; levesche traces through Latin levisticum to ligusticum, “of Liguria,” the Italian region where it was widely grown. The French nickname herbe à Maggi instead reflects its resemblance in flavor to commercial stock cubes. ⁷

Recognition

Glossy dark green to yellow-green leaves first form a basal rosette. A hollow, grooved flowering stem later reaches 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft) at maturity. Divided, trifoliate basal leaves measure up to 70 cm (28 in); stem leaves are much smaller and less divided. ^{7 2}

Bruising the plant releases a strong celery aroma, much more intense than garden celery and distinctive enough to recognize by smell. Umbels appear only in late spring and summer; at other leafy stages, smell remains the useful distinguishing feature. ⁵

Small yellow to yellow-green flowers gather in rounded compound umbels 10–15 cm (4–6 in) across in late spring and summer. The dry schizocarp is 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long, brown when ripe and marked with longitudinal ribs. ⁷

Useful taxonomy

Kew accepts Levisticum officinale W.D.J.Koch, with Ligusticum levisticum L. as its basionym. Older floras and catalogs retain several homotypic synonyms:

• Hipposelinum levisticum (L.) Britton (historical synonym)
• Selinum levisticum (L.) E.H.L.Krause (historical synonym)
• Angelica levisticum (L.) All. (historical synonym)
• Levisticum vulgare Rchb. (historical synonym)
• Levisticum paludapifolium Asch. (historical synonym)

The genera Ligusticum, Hipposelinum, Selinum and Angelica each housed this species at some point in its classification history. Even Levisticum preserves a trace of those changes: its name derives from a historical synonym rather than an independent botanical root. ^{1 10}

Habitat and range

Southern Iran and Afghanistan form the strict native range recognized by POWO. In Europe, lovage also grows as an escape in the Alps, Pyrenees and Caucasus, on mountain pastures and in moist hedges below 1,800 m (5,900 ft). ^{1 8}

European mountain occurrences remain distinct from that native range. Most European and North American populations stem from old culinary introductions. INPN records lovage in France as introduced and cultivated rather than native. ⁹

Its climatic tolerance spans USDA zones 4–9. Even so, Missouri Botanical Garden rates its maintenance needs as high: soil must remain moist and not dry out during summer. ^{4 3}

Life cycle and cultivation

Roots and crown usually need two or three years to establish before flowering begins. Fresh seed germinates in 3–6 weeks; older seed is slower and less reliable. Gardeners therefore often prefer crown division in spring or fall. ^{5 2}

Established lovage needs rich, deep, moist to damp soil, in full sun or light partial shade. Regular harvesting of leaves and young stems encourages regrowth and delays seed formation. Without division after 3–4 years, the aging crown develops a woody, bitter root. ^{2 4}

Aboveground growth dies back each winter and can be cut down in fall. The crown tolerates prolonged frost to about −20 °C (−4 °F), then sends up new growth the following spring. ²

Uses and risks

Leaves, stems, roots, seeds and even flowers have culinary uses. Fresh leaves season soups and salads; blanched stems substitute for celery. Dried seeds flavor breads and stews, while the broth-flavored root is grated or infused as tea. ^{5 4}

ASPCA lists lovage as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Its volatile oils, including phthalide lactones, cause a diuretic effect and increased urination when ingested. Root essential oil also contains photosensitizing furocoumarins: sap contact followed by sunlight can trigger a skin reaction, as with several other Apiaceae. ^{6 7}

Traditional medicine uses lovage as a carminative and diuretic for indigestion or urinary problems; Germany's Commission E recognizes its use for urinary infections. However, it remains inadvisable with kidney inflammation and during pregnancy because of reported emmenagogue properties. ⁵

Look-alikes and related plants

Widely distributed horticultural cultivars are lacking in lovage. Seed suppliers mainly offer the species itself, without the range of selected varieties seen in celery or parsley. ²

Young lovage most often resembles celery (Apium graveolens) before flowering. Two features help: its much stronger aroma and its flowering stem, reaching 2.5 m (8 ft) while celery remains lower and bushier. Angelica (Angelica archangelica) has a similar tall, umbel-bearing habit but a more anise-like aroma, rather than celery or broth. ⁵

Approximate identification among Apiaceae risks dangerous confusion with poisonous relatives. For lovage, scientific identity and the distinctive smell of crushed leaves are more useful than leaf shape or flower color alone.

Main sources

• Plants of the World Online / Kew, Levisticum officinale W.D.J.Koch
• Royal Horticultural Society, Levisticum officinale (lovage)
• Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Levisticum officinale
• NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Levisticum officinale
• Plants For A Future, Levisticum officinale
• ASPCA, Lovage (Levisticum officinale) toxicity entry
• Wikipedia (EN), Lovage
• Wikipedia (French), Lovage
• INPN / MNHN, Levisticum officinale W.D.J.Koch, 1824 - Lovage
• Tela Botanica / eFlore bdtfx, Levisticum officinale W.D.J.Koch