Thapsia
(the old Greek name used by Theophrastus, so called from the Island of Thapsos). Deadly Carrot. Including Melanoselinum and Monizia. ORD. Umbelliferae. A small genus (four species) of greenhouse or half-hardy, perennial (or biennial P), tall herbs, sometimes having a very elongated, shrubby stem, natives of the Mediterranean region and Madeira. Flowers yellowish, dirty-white, or purplish, in compound, many-rayed umbels; calyx teeth small; petals inflexed at apex, shortly acuminate; involucre often wanting. Leaflets pinnately decompound; segments incised-pinnatifid. T. garganica has long been celebrated among the Moors for its healing qualities. The species thrive in loamy soil. They may be increased by seeds, or by breaks from the carrot-like root.
T. decipiens (deceiving). Black Parsley. fl. white; petals obovate, emarginate; involucre composed of many cut leaves. June and July. l. tripinnate; leaflets ovate, acuminate, serrated, the ultimate ones usually confluent; petioles sheathing. Stem terete, simple, naked below, shrubby. h. 6ft. Madeira, 1867. (B. M. 5670.) T. edulis (edible). fl. white, small, disposed in compound, many-rayed umbels, furnished with partial and universal involucres of entire leaflets. May. l. large, decompound, fern-like, in tufts, from 1ft. to 3ft. in length (including the stalks). h. 4ft. Madeira, 1857. The roots, which have long, curved, horn-like divisions, and are black outwards and white within, are eaten in Madeira. SYN. Monizia edulis (B. M. 5724).
T. garganica (Garganian). Drias-plant. fl. yellow; involucre few-leaved. July and August. l. bi-tripinnatisect, shining; segments linear, acute, elongated, quite entire along the margins, decurrent or confluent. Stem terete, glabrous. h. 2ft. to 4ft. Mediterranean region. 1683. (B. M. 6293; S. F. G. 287.) T. villosa (villous). fl. yellow; involucre and involucels almost wanting. June and July. l. tripinnate, and, as well as the petioles, villous; leaflets oblong, sinuately pinnatifid, the lower ones deflexed. Stem terete, glabrous. h. 3ft. to 4ft. South Europe, 1710.