This variable plant (2n = 22 and 44) has been commonly cultivated in eastern North America, especially the variegated form (var. variegatum Bailey). It is almost the only rhizomatous species of Apiaceae in eastern North America, and it can spread vegetatively into adjacent woodlands, especially in cool temperate regions on damp fertile soils. However, the species is not generally invasive in Ky. There may also be occasional dispersal over greater distances: the coll. from LEWI (BEREA) is from Manchester Island in the Ohio River. In Eurasia, the species has had much ancient medicinal and culinary use Orav et al. 2010). Its chemistry includes much falcarindiol (the same polyacetylene that flavors Daucus), varied terpenoids, flavonoids and, in rhizomes, an unusual large lectin, the only record of lectins from Apiaceae (Peumans et al. 1985). However, the strong taste of this plant has inhibited adoption into modern human food.