Coriander is native to regions spanning from southern Europe
and northern Africa to southwestern Asia. It is a soft plant growing to
50 cm (20 in) tall. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly lobed at
the base of the plant, and slender and feathery higher on the flowering
stems. The flowers are borne in small umbels, white or very pale pink,
asymmetrical, with the petals pointing away from the center of the umbel
longer (5 6 mm or 0.20 0.24 in) than those pointing toward it (only 1 3
mm or 0.039 0.118 in long). The fruit is a globular, dry schizocarp 3 5
mm (0.12 0.20 in) in diameter. The seeds are generally used as a spice
or an added ingredient in other foods or recipes, although sometimes
they are eaten alone.