Sium Sisarum, or Skirret, is a plant of Chinese origin, cultivated in Europe. It has a sweetish,
somewhat aromatic root, which is used as a vegetable in much the same manner as the Oyster
plant or Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius) and the Parsnip. It is supposed to be a useful diet in
chest complaints.

The name (Sium) is from the Celtic siu (water), in allusion to their habitat.

S. Sisarum has been cultivated in this country since A.D. 1548. When boiled and served with
butter, the roots form a dish, declared by Worlidge, in 1682, to be 'the sweetest, whitest, and
most pleasant of roots.'