mystery celery looking plant

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by tamaralee, May 22, 2017.

  1. tamaralee

    tamaralee Member

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    Does this look like celery? It popped up this year in a herb planter I had from last year. I might've planted parsley last year, and perhaps a stump from a celery stalk I bought from the grocery store but I am not aware of celery lasting through the winter. Or could it just be a weed? Located in Toronto, Canada

    Thanks!
     

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  2. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Not Parsley. Could be Celery, but be careful - some relatives of Celery, notably the water-dropworts Oenanthe spp., are toxic. Taste a small bit of leaf, and if it tastes just like Celery, you'll be OK, but if it tastes obviously different, don't eat any more.
     
  3. Tyrlych

    Tyrlych Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Looks more like Pastinaca to me.
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2017
  4. tamaralee

    tamaralee Member

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    Would it be OK to dig this up to see if the roots look more like celery or parsnip and then rebury?
     
  5. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Not now - disturbing the roots at the height of the growing season wouldn't be good for it.

    I'd still recommend tasting a small piece of leaf to see if it is a recognisable flavour (or nasty!).
     
  6. Andrey Zharkikh

    Andrey Zharkikh Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Even tasting some Apiaceae plants may have bad consequences. Both celery and parsnip have very characteristic smells. I'd do only this instead.
     
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  7. tamaralee

    tamaralee Member

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    maybe I will cut a piece of the stalk as I dont smell much from just the leaves themselves (I also dont know what parsnip leaves smell like).
     
  8. Andrey Zharkikh

    Andrey Zharkikh Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    You can smell it in a grocery store :)
     
  9. tamaralee

    tamaralee Member

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    it smells like nothing but I do have seasonal allergies!

    I am afraid to cut the stalk to smell it as I read it could cause photodermetitis? Minnesota Seasons - wild parsnip

    I guess the best bet is to let it flower and see what it looks like?
     
  10. tamaralee

    tamaralee Member

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    it is also 2 ft tall now!
     

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