A tall, stout very ornamental and aromatic plant with large white flowers, growing to a height of 4 to 6 feet or more. It has a smooth, dark purple, hollow stem 1 to 2 inches round. The leaves are dark green, divided into three parts, each of which is again divided into three serrated leaflets, sometimes lobed. The lower leaves are larger sometimes 2 feet wide. All leaves have flattened, inward curved, stalks with clasping bases or sheathing to form an elongated bowl which holds water.
Flowers are small and numerous, yellowish or greenish-white and grouped into large, compound umbels.
Harvest stems when young and preserve with sugar for a sweet edible treat. Gather seeds when ripe and root in autumn. Root must be carefully dried and preserved for later herb use. It has a sweet taste similar to celery. Root, leafstalks and stems are often candied.