photograph was taken at Huntington Botanical Garden east of Los Angeles, California, June, 2002.


©1998 Michael King

Coriander belongs to the Apiaceae or Celery Family. The seeds are known as the spice called "Coriander" and the foliage is known as "Cilantro" and is sometimes referred to as "Chinese Parsley".

Coriander is used most frequently in Portuguese Cuisine, to some extent in Spain and Italy, and in many of the cuisines of Latin America. It has an aromatic flavor and is used in certain liqueurs. The seeds are ground up and used to season meats, chicken, fish, eggs and pastries.

Cilantro is also used in some oriental cuisines as well as in the Caribbean and throughout Latin America. It is one of the ingredients of many delicious salsas and can be used as a garnish.

Grow from seed planted in spring after danger of frost has past. Plants will grow about 2 ft. tall. Space seeds apart at least one foot, because transplanting is usually not successful after they are more than a few inches tall. Collect the foliage to use as Cilantro at any time during the late spring and summer. Collect the seed beginning in mid summer to use as Coriander and of course for next years crop.

Seeds can be obtained from GreenDealer Exotic Seeds.

©1998 Michael King