Heracleum persicum

"Golpar" redirects here. For the village in Iran, see Kolbor.

Golpar
Flower and leaf
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Apiaceae
Genus:	Heracleum
Species:	H. persicum
Binomial name
Heracleum persicum Desf. ex Fisch.

File:Expansion of hogweed B.svg

Distribution of Persian hogweed in Europe

Heracleum persicum, commonly known as Persian hogweed or golpar (Persian: گلپر ‎‎), is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native to Iran. It grows wild in humid mountainous regions in Iran, as well in some adjacent areas. Having been introduced in the 1830s, it is now very common in northern Norway, where it is known as the Tromsø palm. The plant has also been spotted in Jönköping, Sweden.

Uses

Food uses

The seeds are used as a spice in Persian cooking. The very thin, small seedpods are aromatic and slightly bitter. They are usually sold in powdered form and are often erroneously sold as "angelica seeds". The powder is sprinkled over broad beans, lentils and other legumes, and potatoes. Golpar is also used in soups and stews. It is often used sprinkled over pomegranate arils. Golpar is also mixed with vinegar into which lettuce leaves are dipped before eating.

Golpar can be used in small amounts (1 or 2 tsp per pound) when cooking beans to reduce the effect of gas in the digestive tract associated with consuming beans.

Ground golpar (H. persicum) seeds

In Persian cuisine, the petals are used in the spice mixture advieh to flavor rice dishes, as well as in chicken and bean dishes.

The tender leaves and leaf stalks are also pickled (known as golpar toraei, Persian: گلپر تورایی‎‎).

See also

• Heracleum, the genus
• Other Europe invasive species Heracleum mantegazzianum and Heracleum sosnowskyi
• Native Europe hog weeds Heracleum sphondylium and Heracleum sibiricum (Heracleum sphondylium subsp. sibiricum)
• Species that can be mistaken for tall invasive hogweeds wild parsnip, garden angelica, wild angelica

External links

• Analysis of the Oil of Heracleum persicum L. (seeds and stems)
• Heracleum persicum, Heracleum glabrescens (Persian)
• http://www.jrps.ir/index.php/jrps/article/download/21/19