Cryptotaenia
Encyclopedia
Cryptotaenia is a genus
of two species of herb
aceous perennial plant
s, native to North America
and eastern Asia
, growing wild in moist, shady places.
Some other species
previously included in this genus (as C. africana, C. calycina) have been shown by molecular evidence not to belong in Cryptotaenia.
(similar to angelica
).
English names for the plant include mitsuba, Japanese wild parsley, honeywort, san ip, and san ye qin (from ). Like parsley
, the flavor is clean and refreshing with a slightly bitter taste which some describe as celery-like. The sprout
s are used in salad
s and soup. In Japan it is commonly used as a garnish in soups or atop entrees or as a sushi ingredient.
and calcium
in particular, in addition to having a strong nutritional profile.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of two species of herb
Herb
Except in botanical usage, an herb is "any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume" or "a part of such a plant as used in cooking"...
aceous perennial plant
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
s, native to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and eastern Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, growing wild in moist, shady places.
Species
- Cryptotaenia canadensis
- Cryptotaenia japonica (syn. C. canadensis subsp. japonica)
Some other species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
previously included in this genus (as C. africana, C. calycina) have been shown by molecular evidence not to belong in Cryptotaenia.
Culinary uses
C. japonica is raised as a seasoningSeasoning
Seasoning is the process of imparting flavor to, or improving the flavor of, food.- General meaning :Seasonings include herbs and spices, which are themselves frequently referred to as "seasonings"...
(similar to angelica
Garden Angelica
Angelica archangelica, commonly known as Garden Angelica, Holy Ghost, Wild Celery, and Norwegian angelica, is a biennial plant from the Apiaceae family Apiaceae family, formerly known as Umbelleferae...
).
English names for the plant include mitsuba, Japanese wild parsley, honeywort, san ip, and san ye qin (from ). Like parsley
Parsley
Parsley is a species of Petroselinum in the family Apiaceae, native to the central Mediterranean region , naturalized elsewhere in Europe, and widely cultivated as an herb, a spice and a vegetable.- Description :Garden parsley is a bright green hairless biennial herbaceous plant in temperate...
, the flavor is clean and refreshing with a slightly bitter taste which some describe as celery-like. The sprout
Sprouting
Sprouting is the practice of germinating seeds to be eaten either raw or cooked.They are a convenient way to have fresh vegetables for salads, or otherwise, in any season and can be germinated at home or produced industrially...
s are used in salad
Salad
Salad is any of a wide variety of dishes, including vegetable salads; salads of pasta, legumes, eggs, or grains; mixed salads incorporating meat, poultry, or seafood; and fruit salads. They may include a mixture of cold and hot, often including raw vegetables or fruits.Green salads include leaf...
s and soup. In Japan it is commonly used as a garnish in soups or atop entrees or as a sushi ingredient.
Nutritional benefits
Mitsuba's dark green leaves, stems, and pods are high in vitamin CVitamin C
Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. In living organisms ascorbate acts as an antioxidant by protecting the body against oxidative stress...
and calcium
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...
in particular, in addition to having a strong nutritional profile.