Vigyan Varta An International E-Magazine for Science Enthusiasts E-ISSN: 2582-9467
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Spiny Coriander-Culantro
R. Balakumbahan1*, V. Sivakumar2 and C. Ravindran3
1
Horticultural Research Station, TNAU, Thadiyankudisai, Tamil Nadu (624 212), India
2
Department of Fruit Science, TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641003), India,
3
Horticultural Research Station, TNAU, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu (624 103), India
Corresponding Author
R. Balakumbahan
Email: [email protected]
OPEN ACCESS
Keywords
Culantro, Coriander, Subtropical, Condiment
How to cite this article
Balakumbahan, R., Sivakumar, V. and Ravindran, C. 2022. Spiny Coriander- Culantro. Vigyan Varta
3(11): 89-92.
.
ABSTRACT
Mexican coriander is a subtropical perennial crop cultivated for its leaf as an economic part.
It has similar aroma of normal coriander and the aroma is stronger and longer. It contains
many medicinal properties and traditionally being used in Caribbean and tropical American
ethno medicines. In India it is mainly grown in North Eastern States and also found in hilly
regions of South India.
INTRODUCTION
countries it is medicinally used to treat epilepsy,
C
ulantro is a warm humid sub tropic
plant originated from the tropical high blood pressure and fever. In the food
America (Mexico) and West Indies. It preparations it is used as condiment in Asian
is an evergreen herbaceous plant commonly countries. Research reports say that this plant is
known in several names viz., Mexican also having Antibacterial and antifungal,
coriander, spiny coriander, serrated coriander Anthelmintic and Anti-inflammatory
saw toothed mint, long coriander, perennial properties. Fresh leaves are also used as salads
coriander, recao and fitweed. Since the flavour and chopped leaves are used for garnishing the
and aroma of leaves of this plant is similar but dishes viz., curries and soups etc. As a spice
stronger and longer than to ordinary coriander they use it as a seasoning of meats, vegetables,
(Coriandrum sativum) most of its common chutneys and soup. In India it is found mainly
names are suffixed with coriander. It is one the in the north-eastern state of Sikkim (bhotay
important medicinal cum culinary herb used in dhonia), Assam (man dhonia), Manipur (awa
the culture of Latin America, and in South phadigom or sha maroi), Mizoram
American countries it is medicinally used (asbahkhawr), Tripura (bilati dhonia),
against diarrhoea, indigestion, and stomach Nagaland (Burma dhania). It is used in the
pain. In the ethno medicines of Caribbean
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Vigyan Varta An International E-Magazine for Science Enthusiasts E-ISSN: 2582-9467
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www.vigyanvarta.com Vol-3, Issue-11 Balakumbahan et. al. (2022)
Andaman & Nicobar Island and in few hilly growth of this plant is hastened during the
parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. short-day conditions. Long day and hot
temperature induce bolting (appearance of
Nutritional facts of spiny coriander (100 g of flower stalk) which is detrimental one for leaf
leaf) production and leaves also become more
fibrous in the hot conditions. Hence provision
S. No Nutritional Properties Value
of artificial shade using 50 to 70 % shade net
1 Moisture% 73.91 for commercial cultivation is advised.
2. Carbohydrate % 6.5
3. Crude protein% 1.96
4. Reducing sugar% 4.70
5. Crude fat% 0.46
6. Crude fibre% 23.00
7. Ash% 1.39
8. vitamin A IU/100g 10460
9. Vitamin B1 mg/100 0.8
10. Vitamin B2 mg/100 60 Spiny coriander leaves
11 Vitamin C mg/100g 25.31
(Harisha CB 2022 & T T Lepcha et.al 2018)
The characteristic flavour of this plant is due to
the principal compound known as eryngial and
the major constituent is (2E)-2-dodecenal. The
leaves of spiny coriander also contain
Chlorogenic acid, Phenols, Flavonoids and
Tannins.
Botany
Botanically spiny coriander is termed as
Eryngium foetidum L belongs to the family
Apiaceae or Umbelliferae, the family of carrot, Flowers and seeds
celery, and parsley Culantro is a tap-rooted
biennial herb with long evenly branched roots.
The leaves are oblanceolate in shape arranged
spirally around the short thick stem from a basal
rosette and are as much as 30 cm long and 4 cm
broad. The leaves have serrated margin with
small spine in each tooth of the margin.
Inflorescence is solitary cymose formed by a
floral axis from the centre of the leaf rosette and
flower heads are in clusters. The calyx is green
while the corolla is creamy white in colour
Cultural requirements
Spiny coriander prefers warm humid tropical
climatic condition for its growth. Vegetative Inflorescence
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Spiny coriander performs well in a soil with Raised bed of 15-20 cm height 1-1.5 m width
good organic matter content and slightly acidic and convenient length may be prepared and
(5.5-6.5 pH) in nature, sandy loam soil with hard lumps and stones are to be removed from
good drainage is most suitable for its the bed. Provision of gentle slope in the
cultivation. Better herbage yield in spiny prepared beds will facilitate proper drainage of
coriander is promoted when good soil moisture excess water.
is maintained throughout the crop growth
period. In India spiny coriander is mainly Seedlings or suckers of spiny coriander are
cultivated in hilly regions as a rain fed crop planted at a spacing of 15-20 cm within and
using the rainfall as source irrigation. For the between the rows. Deep planting may be
commercial cultivation under shade net avoided. Planting should be taken when there is
conditions irrigation may be provide through sufficient moisture in the soil and immediately
sprinkler/ drip irrigation. after planting irrigation is to be provided.
Propagation Inter cultural operations
Spiny coriander is propagated easily by seeds as Proper irrigation facility is to be provided for
well as the side suckers. For seedling better herbage yield. The flower stalks emerged
production well matured seeds are to be from the centre of the leaf axis due to long day
collected and sown in the nursery beds or seed or high temperature should be removed
production containers with deep cavities of at periodically to promote better leaf production.
least two inches depth. In the containerised Spiny coriander response well for the organic
seedling production method, the containers manures. Periodical soil application of organic
might be filled with coco peat and seed can be compost and biofertilizers may be continued
sown. It takes 20-25 days for germination and and foliar application of bio stimulants viz.,
the seedlings will be ready for transplanting in panchgavya, vermiwash etc., may also help to
45-50 days after sowing. boost the biomass production.
Planting Harvest and handling
The soil of the selected field should be scuffled The plant will be ready for harvesting after 80-
well and goods amount of organic inputs viz., 90 days after transplanting. The entire leaves
farm yard manure/ vermicompost/ farm waste are harvested using a sharp knife leaving the
compost might be incorporated. Since the spiny rosette. New leaves will be produced from the
coriander is cultivated in acidic soils left-over rosette. Further harvesting can be
availability of nutrients to the plant is a made at an interval of 25-30 days. After
restricted one. To overcome this situation harvesting the leaves are bundled in to bunch of
biofertilizers like Azospirillum, phosphorous preferred weight and marketed. The plant has
and potassium solubilizing bacteria can be the yield potential of 20-25t of herbage yield.
added for better crop performance. Apart from CONCLUSION
this, the bio control agents viz., Trichoderma
viride, Bacillus subtilis and Paecilomyces Spiny coriander is a best alternate to coriander
lilacinus may also be incorporated with soil to (Coriandrum sativum) leaves during the rainy
protect the plants from soil borne pathogens and seasons. Though it is having good culinary
nematodes. qualities and good keeping quality than
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ordinary coriander spiny coriander is unknown Laxuman Sharma and Venkata
in several parts of India and proper cultural Ramana Muddarsu.2018. Proximate
operations are not standardised for commercial and nutritional analysis of Culantro
cultivation. More research activities may be (Eryngium foetidum). Journal of
taken to standardise the package of practices Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry
and post harvest handling for better promotion
SP1: 3129-3134.
of this plant.
Harish CB. 2020. Mexican Coriander and
REFERENCES
Alternate for Coriander. Kerala
Tashi Lepcha, Sujata Upadhyay, S Karshakan e – Journal. 22-24.
Manivannan, Karma Diki Bhutia,
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