This biannual plant with a Mediterranean-Atlantic distribution is present in almost all the regions of Italy (missing in Valle d'Aosta and Trentino-Alto Adige, of dubious occurrence in Piedmont, and appearing only as an ephemeral weed in Friuli Venezia Giulia), but is common only in the Mediterranean parts of Country. It grows in moist and shady waste places, along hedges, on ruins and rubble, usually on rather fresh soils that are rich in nitrogen compounds, from sea level to about 800 m, with optimum in the Mediterranean belt. The species is found sporadically on the edge of the temporary ponds of Sardinia, especially in shaded areas in contact with ruderal vegetation. Since ancient times it was cultivated in gardens for food production, because of the intensely aromatic leaves and stems, reminiscent of celery; mature seeds, despite the resinous taste, were ground to flavour some dishes, especially meat. Towards the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries this plant was replaced by celery, and its use was largely forgotten. In some eastern European countries, the species is still cultivated for food (especially the young stems are steamed, boiled or candied, while roots and flowers are fried). The genus name comes from the Greek 'smyrna' (myrrh) in reference to the aroma of the seeds, the species name derives from the Latin 'olus' (grass) and 'ater/atrum' (dark, black), the colour of the fruit at maturity. Flowering period: January to May.

Italian name(s): Alessandrina (antichi), Alisandru (Sardegna, Cagliari), Casesi (Sicilia), Corinoli (Campania, Capri), Corinoli comune (Italia), Lessandria (antichi), Lisandru (Sardegna, Cagliari), Lisau (Sardegna, Iglesias), Lisciandreddu (Sicilia), Lisciandriu (Sicilia), Lisciandru (Sicilia), Lisiandru (Sardegna, Tortoli), Macciaroni (Sardegna, Cagliari), Macerone (Toscana), Macerrone (Sardegna, Cagliari), Olivandru (Sardegna, Cuglieri), Orrusadu (Sardegna, Muravera), Ragnana (Liguria, Nava), Sciamae (Liguria, S. Fruttuoso di Portofino), Scirnio (Calabria), Selen sarvaegu (Liguria, Voltri), Smirnio (Toscana), Smirnio comune (Italia).