Not to be semantically confused with : Lovage (Levisticum officinale) [a naturalised neophyte with similar name which smells like Celery but is in a differing genus to Scots Lovage and in the same family, namely Apiaceae]

The leaves of Scots Lovage have a smell reminiscent of Celery or Parsley whilst the seeds taste of the spices Fenugreek or of Cumin. The plant is edible - one of only a few in Carrot family which are; most others are poisonous to some degree, or highly toxic in some few instances (think Henbane, Hemlock and Hemlock Water-Dropworts).

In the UK Scots Loveage only grows where the average temperature is below 15°C, which is why it is found only near the Scottish coastlines. It is pollinated mostly by flies, perhaps including by Scottish midges amongst others... The seeds ripen by October or November. The plant is intolerant to grazing and of sea birds but is not bothered by a little sprayed sea-salt in the air. Uniquely identifiable characteristics

Distinguishing Feature :

No relation to : Scottish Laburnum (Laburnum alpinum), Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), Scottish Primrose (Primula scotica), Scottish Dock (Rumex aquaticus), Scottish Pearlwort (Sagina × normaniana) or Scottish Asphodel (Tofieldia pusilla) [plants with similar names belonging to differing families].

It is just one of the seemingly few umbellifers which seem to have a symmetrical actinomorphic arrangement of the 5 petals, which also reach out from the centre on narrow white parts.

It contains Sotolon, a lactone with a strong smell of Fenugreek (in which it was first discovered) or of Curry. It is also to be found in flor sherry, white wine, aged rum, maple syrup, sake and molasses. It is even used as flavouring in artificial maple syrup. This compound, which is also found in Wine, is also associated with an off-flavour of wines which results from the oxidation of Sotolon. Chemically, Sotolon is 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone.