Silaum silaus Pepper-saxifrage C DD N
This is a late flowering umbellifer which is not that common in the north of England where I live. Although it has been known from this site for decades I have only seen it elsewhere on one occasion but then I only rarely botanise in the south of England where it is commoner. It isn't a Saxifrage of course but an umbellifer. It is said to prefer damp and undisturbed meadows which are rare enough these days and probably also accounts for my infrequent sightings.
Silaum means yellowish or yellow ochre presumably referring to the flowers and the Pepper part of the English name probably comes from the fact that the black roots are peppery and aromatic to taste.
Silaum silaus is common in England but prefers the east so is uncommon in Cornwall or western Wales. There is very little in Scotland and almost none in Ireland.
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| Silaum silaus Pepper-saxifrage |
Grassland near cliff tops, Wirral Country Park 30th August 2005
Added on 30th August 2005, updated 7th February 2012