Apium graveolens var. dulce – apium means celery, graveolens ‘strong-smelling’ and dulce ‘sweet’ in Latin.
ORIGINS
From Sweden to northern Africa and eastern Asia, celery grows wild in salty soils and marshes. There are records of its cultivation in France before the 16th century, and in Italy before the 18th century.
DESCRIPTION
Celery is grown in Australia primarily for its stems which can be blanched by excluding light. However there are many smaller forms that have more flavour than these broad-stemmed ones.