Coriandrum sativum

Coriandrum sativum, commonly known as coriander or cilantro, is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. It is native to regions spanning from Southern Europe and Northern Africa to Southwestern Asia. It is a soft plant growing to 50 cm (20 in) tall. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly lobed at the base of the plant, and slender and feathery higher on the flowering stems. The flowers are borne in small umbels, white or very pale pink, asymmetrical, with the petals pointing away from the center of the umbel longer (5–6 mm or 0.20–0.24 in) than those pointing toward it (only 1–3 mm or 0.039–0.118 in long). The fruit is a globular, dry schizocarp 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) in diameter.

Culinary uses

All parts of the plant are edible, but the fresh leaves and the dried seeds (as a spice) are the parts most traditionally used in cooking. Coriander is used in cuisines throughout the world.

Medicinal uses

Coriander has been used as a folk medicine for the relief of anxiety and insomnia in Iranian folk medicine. Experiments in rats have shown that coriander can have a significant hypolipidemic effect, resulting in lower levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.

Cultivation

Coriander is propagated from seeds, with the plants being most productive in well-drained, well-prepared soil with full exposure to the sun. Coriander plants can be difficult to grow, as they are prone to bolting before the leaves are ready to harvest.

See also

• List of culinary herbs and spices
• Apiaceae