Lovage

Lovage (Ligusticum), a genus of plants of the natural order Umbelliferae, allied to Angelica; the fruit is elliptical; each carpel has five sharp somewhat winged ribs; and there are many vittae in the interstices. Common Lovage (L. officinale, or L. Levisticum) is a native of the south of Europe, with ternate decompound leaves, and obovate, wedge-shaped leaflets. It is sometimes cultivated in gardens, and, notwithstanding its strong and peculiar odour, is used as a salad plant. Its roots and seeds are aromatic, acrid, and stimulant, and are used to cure flatulency and to excite perspiration. A liquor called lovage is made from them.—Very similar in appearance and qualities is the only British species, Scottish Lovage (L. scoticum), a native of the sea-coasts. It is eaten, both raw and boiled, by the Shetlanders. The flavour is aromatic, but acrid and very nauseous to those unaccustomed to it.