Dill
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2008-07-13T00:17:27Z
Jerem43
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RV - self
{{otheruses}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Dill
| image = Illustration Anethum graveolens0.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Apiales]]
| familia = [[Apiaceae]]
| genus = '''''Anethum'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| species = '''''A. graveolens'''''
| binomial = ''Anethum graveolens''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
[[Image:Dill dried umbel.jpg|thumb|Dried Dill-umbel]]
'''Dill''' (''Anethum graveolens'') is a short-lived [[annual plant|annual]] [[herbaceous|herb]]. It is the sole species of the genus ''Anethum'', though classified by some botanists in a related genus as ''Peucedanum graveolens'' (L.) C.B.Clarke.
It grows to {{convert|40|-|60|cm|in|abbr=on|lk=off}} tall, with slender stems and alternate, finely divided, softly delicate [[leaf|leaves]] {{convert|10|-|20|cm|in|abbr=on|lk=off}} long. The ultimate leaf divisions are {{convert|1|-|2|mm|in|abbr=on|lk=off}} broad, slightly broader than the similar leaves of [[fennel]], which are threadlike, less than {{convert|1|mm|in|abbr=on|lk=off}} broad, but harder in texture. The [[flower]]s are white to yellow, in small [[umbel]]s {{convert|2|-|9|cm|in|abbr=on|lk=off}} diameter. The [[seed]]s are {{convert|4|-|5|mm|in|abbr=on|lk=off}} long and {{convert|1|mm|in|abbr=on|lk=off}} thick, and straight to slightly curved with a longitudinally ridged surface.
Its seeds, '''dill seeds''' are used as a [[spice]], and its fresh leaves, '''dill''', and its dried leaves, '''dill weed''', are used as [[herb]]s.
==Origins and history==
Dill originated in Eastern Europe. Zohary and Hopf remark that "wild and weedy types of dill are widespread in the Mediterranean basin and in West Asia."
Although several twigs of dill were found in the tomb of [[Amenhotep II]], they report that the earliest archeological evidence for its cultivation comes from late [[Neolithic]] lake shore settlements in Switzerland.<ref>{{cite book |title=Domestication of plants in the Old World |last=Zohary |first=Daniel |authorlink= |coauthors=Hopf, Maria |year=2000 |edition=3rd edition |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=0198503571 |pages=p. 206 }}</ref> Traces have been found in [[Roman Empire|Roman]] ruins in [[Great Britain]].
In [[Semitic languages]] it is known by the name of '''Shubit'''. The [[Talmud]] requires that [[tithe]]s shall be paid on the seeds, leaves, and stem of dill. The [[Bible]] states that the [[Pharisee]]s were in the habit of paying dill as tithe;<ref>{{Bible|Matthew 23:23}}</ref> [[Jesus]] Christ is said to have rebuked them for tithing dill but omitting mercy.
==Name==
The name dill is thought to have originated from a Norse or Anglo-Saxon word 'dylle' meaning to soothe or lull, the plant having the [[carminative]] property of relieving gas.
In some English speaking countries, it is sometimes called Dillby.
In some Asian local languages it is called as "Shepu" or "Sowa".
==Uses==
Fresh and dried dill leaves (sometimes called "dill weed" to distinguish it from dill seed) are used as [[herb]]s.
Like [[caraway]], its fernlike leaves are aromatic, and are used to flavor many [[food]]s, such as [[gravlax]] (cured [[salmon]]), [[borscht]] and other [[soup]]s, and [[Pickled cucumber|pickle]]s (where sometimes the dill flower is used). Dill is said to be best when used fresh, as it loses its flavor rapidly if dried; however, [[Freeze drying|freeze-dried]] dill leaves preserve their flavor relatively well for a few months.
In the [[Middle Ages]], dill was thought to protect against witchcraft.{{Fact|date=March 2007}}
Dill seed is used as a [[spice]], with a flavor similar to caraway.
[[Dill oil]] can be extracted from the leaves, stems and seeds of the plant.
Dill can also be used to help cure both insomnia{{Fact|date=June 2008}} and bad breath{{Fact|date=June 2008}}. Sometimes dill is made into a tea to help cure an upset stomach{{Fact|date=June 2008}}.
{{clear}}
==Cultivation==
Successful cultivation requires warm to hot summers with high sunshine levels; even partial shade will reduce the yield substantially. It also prefers rich, well drained soil. The seeds are viable for 3-10 years. Plants intended for seed for further planting should not be grown near fennel, as the two species can [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]]ise.
The seed is harvested by cutting the flower heads off the stalks when the seed is beginning to ripen. The seed heads are placed upside down in a paper bag and left in a warm dry place for a week. The seeds then separate from the stems easily for storage in an airtight container.
==External links==
{{commons|Anethum graveolens}}
*[http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Anethum+graveolens Plants for a Future: ''Anethum graveolens'']
*[http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/d/dill--13.html 'A Modern Herbal' (Grieves, 1931)]
{{clear}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Herbs & spices}}
[[Category:Apiaceae]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[ar:شبت]]
[[bg:Копър]]
[[ca:Anet]]
[[de:Dill (Pflanze)]]
[[dv:ދަމުއި]]
[[el:Άνηθος]]
[[es:Anethum graveolens]]
[[eo:Aneto]]
[[fa:شوید]]
[[fr:Aneth odorant]]
[[gl:Aneto]]
[[it:Anethum graveolens]]
[[he:שבת ריחני]]
[[ka:კამა (მცენარე)]]
[[ht:Lanni]]
[[la:Anethum]]
[[lt:Krapas]]
[[hu:Kapor (növény)]]
[[nl:Dille]]
[[ja:イノンド]]
[[no:Dill]]
[[nn:Dill]]
[[pl:Koper (roślina)]]
[[pt:Endro]]
[[ro:Mărar]]
[[ru:Укроп]]
[[sq:Kopra]]
[[simple:Dill]]
[[sk:Kôpor voňavý]]
[[sl:Navadni koper]]
[[sr:Мирођија]]
[[fi:Tilli]]
[[sv:Dill]]
[[tr:Dere otu]]
[[uk:Кріп]]
[[ur:شِبِت]]
[[wo:Anet]]
[[bat-smg:Kraps]]
[[zh:蒔蘿]]