Lovage

Lovage is a tall perennial herb, the sole species in its genus, native to Afghanistan and Iran and long grown in European herb gardens for its celery-like flavor, present in the leaves, stems, roots and seeds alike. The plant can grow to nearly two meters, topped in spring by small umbels of greenish-yellow flowers, and every part has a culinary use: the leaves as a fresh herb, the roots cooked as a vegetable, and the seeds as a spice in southern European cooking and in flavoring confectionery and liqueurs. Its taste and aroma resemble celery and parsley together, but noticeably more intense and peppery than either.