Levisticum

a genus of plants of the family Umbelliferae. They are large perennial grasses with cylindrical hollow stems and shining pinnatisect leaves. The calyx-teeth are obscure, and the petals are greenish yellow. The oval fruit has winged edges and dull ribs that are narrowly winged in rare instances. Of the two or three species distributed in Europe and western Asia, one —lovage (Levisticum officinale)—is found in the USSR. It is cultivated primarily in southern regions in vegetable gardens; it also grows wild. The dried roots are used as a spice, and the fresh ones are used in preserves and in candying fruit.