Coriander
Coriandrum sativum L.

Order - Apiales

Family - Apiaceae

Names:

Coriandrum

Sativum

Coriander

Other Names:

Summary:

An annual, aromatic culinary herb.

Description:

Cotyledons:

Two. Club to spear shaped. Tip rounded. Base tapered. Short stalk.

First leaves:

Round to oval, 3 deep lobes with each lobe toothed or lobed. Tip pointed. Strong Coriander aroma and taste.

Leaves:

Stipules -

Petiole -

Blade - Divided into 2 almost opposite oval leaflets and a terminal round to oval leaflet. Each leaflet more or less divided into 3 broad lobes that are also lobed or toothed.

Stem leaves - Divided into 3 leaflets that have 3 lobes, each with 3 narrow lobes.

Stems:

Erect, up to 1000 mm tall. Strong Coriander aroma and taste.

Flower stem -

Flower head:

Flowering stem with 3-6 branches near the top, each with a terminal flat topped cluster (umbel) of flowers.

Flowers:

Pink to mauve.

Ovary -

Sepals -

Petals - Pink to mauve.

Stamens -

Anthers -

Fruit:

Seeds:

Light brown with lighter ribs, 3-6 mm diameter. Strong Coriander aroma and taste.

Roots:

Key Characters:

Biology:

Life cycle:

Annual. Seeds germinate in autumn.

Physiology:

Reproduction:

By seed.

Flowering times:

Spring.

Seed Biology and Germination:

Vegetative Propagules:

Hybrids:

Allelopathy:

Population Dynamics and Dispersal:

Spread mainly by intentional planting.

Origin and History:

Mediterranean.

Distribution:

ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA.

Naturalised in Queensland.

Habitats:

Climate:

Temperate. Mediterranean.

Soil:

Plant Associations:

Significance:

Beneficial:

Hot spice used for human consumption typically in curries.

Detrimental:

Toxicity:

Not recorded as toxic

Legislation:

None.

Management and Control:

Thresholds:

Eradication strategies:

Herbicide resistance:

Biological Control:

Related plants:

None.

Plants of similar appearance:

Bifora (Bifora testiculata) has narrower cotyledons, smaller leaves, white flowers and smaller size.

References:

Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Cousens, R.D., Dodd, J. and Lloyd, S.G. (1997). Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. (Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia). P84.

Lazarides, M. and Hince, B. (1993). CSIRO handbook of economic plants of Australia. (CSIRO, Melbourne). #352.1.

Moerkerk, M.R. and Barnett A.G. (1998) More Crop Weeds. (R.G and F.J. Richardson, Melbourne). P52. Photos. Diagrams.

Acknowledgments:

Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 or www.herbiguide.com.au for more information.