Coriander

Coriander, common name for an annual herb of the parsley family that grows to a height of about 30 to 90 cm (12 to 36 in). The lower leaves are very finely divided; the white and pink flowers grow in small, loose clusters. Native to Europe and Asia Minor, coriander has become naturalized in North America. It is cultivated for its fruit. The dried seeds, also called coriander, are used as a spice in a wide variety of foods, and the pungent leaves, called cilantro, are a basic ingredient in Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Asian cooking. Oil extracted from the seed is used in the preparation of liqueurs and is a medicine for abdominal discomfort.

Scientific classification: Coriander belongs to the family Apiaceae (or Umbelliferae). It is classified as Coriandrum sativum.