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Selinum

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Selinum
Selinum tenuifolium at the Orto Botanico di Brera, Milano
Scientific classification
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Selinum

Selinum is a Eurasiatic genus of flowering plants in the parsley family Apiaceae.[1]

Species

The Plant List accepts the following eight species and one variety :

Ornamental use

Selinum wallichianum is a handsome and long-lived, hardy, herbaceous perennial, suitable for woodland gardens and mixed borders.[3]

Folk-medicinal and ritual uses

Several Himalayan species belonging to the genus are both taken internally and burnt as dhoop or incense as sedatives to soothe mental turmoil of various kinds in Tantric rituals. Given that aphrodisiac properties are also reported they may also be used in practices related to sex magic / sacred sexuality. They are aromatic and mildly psychoactive without being unduly toxic - some species are recorded as having been used both as human food and cattle fodder.[4]

References

  1. ^ Umbellifers of the British Isles B.S.B.I. Handbook No.2. Tutin, T.G. Pub. Botanical Society of the British Isles, London 1980. pps. 152-3.
  2. ^ .The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Published on the Internet; http://www.theplantlist.org/ (accessed 7/10/17)
  3. ^ The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants Editor-in-Chief Christopher Brickell, pub. Dorling Kindersley 1996, reprinted 1997, ISBN 0-7513-0303-8 page 952.
  4. ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2012). CRC World dictionary of medicinal and poisonous plants: common names, scientific names, eponyms, synonyms and etymology. Volume 5 R-Z. CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, page 228.