Celery

Celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce) is a biennial plant grown as an annual for its crisp, aromatic leaf stalks, which are widely used in salads, soups, and stews. Belonging to the Apiaceae (carrot) family, celery has a shallow root system and grows best in cool, moist climates with rich, well-drained soil. The plant produces a rosette of long, ribbed, fleshy petioles (stalks) that are pale green to dark green in color, topped with pinnate leaves. Grows in a rosette form during the first year. Upright, clump-forming habit with multiple stalks. Shallow-rooted, requiring consistent moisture. Prefers cool temperatures (15–21°C) for optimal growth. Sensitive to drought and heat stress. Requires rich, fertile, and well-drained soil with high organic matter. Typically harvested 90–120 days after transplanting. Type: Biennial grown as an annual vegetable Edible parts: Leaf stalks (petioles), leaves, and seeds Stem: Fleshy, grooved, and fibrous Leaves: Pinnate, dark green, aromatic Flowers: Small, white or yellowish, in compound umbels Seeds: Small, brown, aromatic, used as spice.