Description
Carum – Caraway –
There are about 30 species of taprooted, upright annuals, biennials and perennials, in this genus. They produces finely dissected basal leaves and hollow branched stems that carry compound umbels of tiny white flower, followed by aromatic dry fruits. C. carvi, the only species widely grown, occurs in meadows grassland and wasteland from Europe and Northern Africa to Siberia and Russia. It is grown in herb gardens for its fern like foliage, and distinctively flavored seeds used mainly to flavor bread, cake, sauces and pickles.
Grow in deep, fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun, caraway will tolerate heavier soils. Seed is borne in the second summer, harvest before it begins to darken and avoid self seeding.
C. carvi – Caraway – This aromatic biennial or short lived perennial found from Europe to Asia grows 2-3′ feet tall and half as wide. From slender, ribbed stems it carries feathery, finely cut, lacy leaves, that are bright green, 3-6″ long, consisting of linear to linear-lance shaped leaflets. In the second year it bears small white flowers held in compound umbels, to 1 ½” across in midsummer, followed by 5 ribbed fruits, to 1/4″ long, containing seeds. Self seed very freely.
Zones 3-9
