Selinum is a Eurasiatic genus of flowering plants in the parsley family Apiaceae.[2]
Species
As of December 2022, Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:[1]
Species formerly placed in the genus include:
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Selinum wallichianum – synonym of Ligusticopsis wallichiana
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Selinum tenuifolium – another synonym of Ligusticopsis wallichiana
Folk-medicinal and ritual uses
Several Himalayan species belonging to the genus are both taken internally and burnt as dhoop or incense as sedatives to soothe mental turmoil of various kinds in Tantric rituals. Given that aphrodisiac properties are also reported they may also be used in practices related to sex magic / sacred sexuality. They are aromatic and mildly psychoactive without being unduly toxic - some species are recorded as having been used both as human food and cattle fodder.[3]
Notes
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^ As of December 2022, Plants of the World Online spelt the epithet carvifolium. Other sources, including the International Plant Names Index, used carvifolia.[4] Linnaeus capitalized the epithet, suggesting it was a noun in apposition rather than an adjective.[5]
References
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^ a b c "Selinum (L.) L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
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^ Umbellifers of the British Isles B.S.B.I. Handbook No.2. Tutin, T.G. Pub. Botanical Society of the British Isles, London 1980. pps. 152-3.
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^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2012). CRC World dictionary of medicinal and poisonous plants: common names, scientific names, eponyms, synonyms and etymology. Volume 5 R-Z. CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, page 228.
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^ "Selinum carvifolia (L.) L." The International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
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^ Linnaeus, Carl (1762). "Selinum". Species plantarum. Vol. 1 (2 ed.). p. 350. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
