The species Apium prostratum, is commonly known as Sea Celery, and is a variable herb that is native to coastal Australia and New Zealand. The leaves are variable, with toothed leaflets, and a celery like aroma. The tiny white flowers occur in clusters.

There are two varieties of the Sea Celery:

  • Apium prostratum var. filiforme (known as the Headland Sea Celery) and is pictured here, which is more squat with broad leaves and grows on coastal dunes and headlands.
  • Apium prostratum var. prostratum (known as the Mangrove Sea Celery), which is more upright with fine leaves and grows in swamps.:
Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var filiforme (Sea celery), South Coast WA © Terry Dunham
Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var filiforme (Sea celery), South Coast WA © Terry Dunham

Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var filiforme (Sea celery), also called Sea parsley, is a coastal native that may be used as a flavoursome herb that carries hints of the Ocean in its unique celery like flavour. It was commonly eaten by early settlers as a survival food.

The stems and leaves may be enjoyed fresh in salads (my favourite when camping down the coast, yummo) or blanched as a side vegetable or added to curries etc, while the seeds may be used as a condiment or cooking spice, or dried leaves in a native spice mix.

Terry Dunham
Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var filiforme (Sea celery), South Coast WA © Terry Dunham
Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var filiforme (Sea celery), South Coast WA © Terry Dunham
Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var filiforme (Sea celery), South Coast WA © Terry Dunham
Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var filiforme (Sea celery), South Coast WA © Terry Dunham
Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var filiforme (Sea celery), South Coast WA © Terry Dunham
Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var filiforme (Sea celery), South Coast WA © Terry Dunham
Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var filiforme (Sea celery), South Coast WA © Terry Dunham
Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var filiforme (Sea celery), South Coast WA © Terry Dunham
Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var filiforme (Sea celery), South Coast WA © Terry Dunham
Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var filiforme (Sea celery), South Coast WA © Terry Dunham

  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Phylum: Charophyta
  • Class: Equisetopsida
  • Subclass: Magnoliidae
  • Superorder: Asteranae
  • Order: Apiales
  • Family: Apiaceae
  • Genus: Apium
  • Species: Apium prostratum
  • Subspecies: Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum
  • Variety: Apium prostratum var. prostratum
  • Variety: Apium prostratum var. filiforme

Footnote & References

  1. Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var filiforme (Sea celery), South Coast WA. Photographs © Terry Dunham
  2. Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var. filiforme (A.Rich.) Kirk, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var. filiforme
  3. Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var. filiforme (A.Rich.) Kirk, Western Australian Herbarium (1998–). Florabase—the Western Australian Flora. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/11399
  4. Apium prostratum subsp. prostratum var. filiforme, New Zealand Plant Conservation Network, https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/apium-prostratum-subsp-prostratum-var-filiforme/

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