Celery is an herbaceous member of the carrot, parsley, and caraway family, developed by Italian gardeners in the 17th century from the wild celery of the European salt marshes - a plant know as smallage. In the second year, the flower head produces masses of small seeds which are grey-brown with fine ridges. Celery seeds have a strong and sometimes bitter flavour, and a distinctive celery aroma. The pungency and taste are particularly noticeable in the ground spice.
