Pollinator plant

Lovage

Levisticum officinale

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Common names

31 names · 20 languages
EnglishYour language
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Maggi plant[1]
Other languages (19)
Dutch
  • Lavas[2][4]
  • Maggikruid
  • Maggiplant
French
  • Céleri perpétuel[2][4]
  • Livèche
  • Livèche officinale[2][4]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • libeček lékařský[4]
Danish
  • Løvstikke[4]
Finnish
German
Greek
  • Λεβιστικόν το φαρμακευτικόν[4]
Hungarian
  • lestyán[4]
  • Orvosi lestyán[4]
Japanese
  • ロベージ[4]
Lithuanian
  • Vaistinė gelsvė[4]
Norwegian
  • løpstikke[4]
Polish
  • Lubczyk ogrodowy[4]
Russian
  • Любисток[4]
  • Любисток аптечный[4]
  • Любисток лекарственный[4]
Slovak
  • ligurček lekársky[4]
Slovenian
Swedish
  • libbsticka[4]
Ukrainian
  • Любисток лікарський[4]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Levisticum officinale — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Lovage — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Levisticum officinale.
  • Bladder seed — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Levisticum officinale.
  • Garden Lovage — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Levisticum officinale.
  • Maggi plant — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Levisticum officinale.
[2] Levisticum officinale — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Lovage — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Lavas — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Liebstöckel — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Céleri perpétuel — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Livèche officinale — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
[3] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Levisticum officinale ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Lovage (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 139197; taxon VJTPC.
  • Liebstöckel — VernacularName.tsv, line 139196; taxon VJTPC.
  • Maggikraut (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 139198; taxon VJTPC.
[4] Levisticum officinale — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Lovage — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Lavas — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Liebstöckel — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Céleri perpétuel — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Livèche officinale — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • libeček lékařský — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Orvosi lestyán — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Λεβιστικόν το φαρμακευτικόν — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Любисток — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • løpstikke — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • liperi — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Vaistinė gelsvė — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Løvstikke — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • ロベージ — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • 歐當歸 — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • 欧当归 — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • libbsticka — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Любисток лекарственный — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Любисток аптечный — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • ligurček lekársky — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Lubczyk ogrodowy — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • lestyán — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • luštrek — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
  • Любисток лікарський — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 59432; Levisticum officinale.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Levisticum officinale is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Apiaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.91–1.83 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.61–0.91 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Clumping; Columnar; Erect; Spreading

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: butterflies.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Native range
S. Iran to Afghanistan.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Low suitability
Nectar value Low
Pollen value Low
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous
Size
Small
Dimensions
1.80 m high × 1.00 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
5-9
Moisture
Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Flowers, Leaves, Root, Stems, Seasoning, Tea
Functions
Essential oil, Pollinator plant, Fragrant
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
3 out of 5

The leaves and stems of this plant can be eaten both raw and cooked, adding a savory flavor to dishes such as salads, soups, and stews with a yeasty or celery-like taste. The leaves are available from late winter to late autumn and can be used fresh or dried. To ensure a good harvest of leaves in the summer, it is advisable to trim the plants back to the ground when they are flowering in the summer. The young stem can be blanched and used in salads, or as a flavoring in cooked dishes. The seeds of the plant can be consumed both raw and cooked and have a strong yeasty flavor, which makes them suitable as a flavoring in baked goods, soups, and salads, or ground into a powder. The root of the plant is suitable for cooking, has a strong savory flavor, and can be grated to be used as a seasoning or as a vegetable. It is best to use the root when it is 2-3 years old. No specific details are given about the flowers. Tea can be made from the dried leaves, with a strong savory flavor reminiscent of broth. Tea can also be made from the grated roots. The essential oil of the root is commercially used as a food flavoring with a yield of 0.5%.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Levisticum officinale — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 5293826; ID VJTPC; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 5293826; ID VJTPC; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Levisticum officinale — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Levisticum officinale — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 50475; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 763196, 763197

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.