Family Index

Scientific Name

Apium prostratum

Family Name

APIACEAE (UMBELLIFERAE)

Common Name

Creeping Sea-celery

Status

Height

Flowers

Very small flowers with white petals, in flowerheads.

Fruit

Form

Perennial, scrambling herb with branches 30-70cm long and divided leaves resembling Italian parsley. Leaflets can be entire or divided; undivided leaflets are 6-15 times as long as wide (distinguishes from A. prostratum var. filiforme, which has leaflets 2-3 times as long as wide).

Municipalities

Communities

Habitat Notes

Sunny beaches, saltmarsh and sandy coastal foreshores, often in tidal areas.

Site Tolerance

Frost Tolerance

Soil Tolerance

General Notes

Propagation from untreated seed provides good results. Also propagated by division. Captain Cook's party is said to have used it as a substitute for domestic celery. Suitable below powerlines.

Propagation Details

Propagation Calendar

Flowering Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Collecting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sowing Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cutting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Fruit is circular, 1.3-2.5mm long, somewhat succulent and with 5 thick longitudinal ridges. To collect, cut seed heads and leave in a warm place to dry and release seed. Sieve to clean.

Seed Treatment Method

Seed Storage Life

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

Germination Time

Suitable for Direct Seeding

Cuttings

Expected Time to Take Root

Expected Time to Plant Out

Propagation by Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.

Yes

Cutting Notes