# Alexanders (*Smyrnium olusatrum*) Alexanders are tall green plants that grow in damp places. They have bright yellow flowers that attract butterflies and bees, making them a lovely sight in nature. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Alexanders](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Smyrnium_olusatrum_0002.JPG&width=800) Photo: tato grasso, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Smyrnium_olusatrum_0002.JPG) ## Appearance The Alexanders has stout, hollow stems with large, glossy, dark green leaves that look a bit like celery. Its small, yellow-green flowers are clustered into domed umbrella-like heads, creating a striking contrast against its robust foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Apiales - **Family:** Apiaceae - **Genus:** Smyrnium ## Interesting facts - Alexanders can survive salty sea spray, making it a common sight near coasts! - Ancient Romans used Alexanders as a vegetable spice, similar to celery! - Its name comes from Alexandria, where it was once cultivated widely! - The entire plant, from root to seed, is edible and has a strong, unique flavor. ## Special abilities - **Deep Root Power:** Alexanders has a thick taproot that helps it anchor firmly and find water, even in dry coastal soils. - **Pollinator Magnet:** Its many tiny flowers are grouped into wide, flat clusters, creating a large landing pad to attract lots of hungry insects. - **Seed Spreader:** Alexanders produces abundant black seeds that can float or be carried by animals, helping it spread far and wide. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 50-150 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.4 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer (April-June) - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Biennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen, aiding reproduction. - **Eaten by:** [Garden snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — Snails sometimes feed on the leaves and stems of young plants. - **Eaten by:** [European rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — Rabbits may graze on the foliage, especially when tender. ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Biennial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/biennial): Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always ask an adult before touching or tasting any plants. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Alexanders? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Alexanders? 50-150 cm ### How wide does Alexanders spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Alexanders? 0.2-0.4 cm ### When does Alexanders bloom? Spring to early summer (April-June) ### Is Alexanders edible? Yes ### Is Alexanders toxic? None ### What is Alexanders's lifecycle? Biennial ## Where to spot - [Fota Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fota-wildlife-park) — Municipal District of Cobh, IE · Zoo - [Jardin des plantes de Caen](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jardin-des-plantes-de-caen) — Normandie, FR · Park ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Alexanders: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alexanders)