Coriander (Coriandrumsativum), also known as cilantro, Chinese parsley or dhania, is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. Coriander is native to regions spanning from southern Europe and North Africa to southwestern Asia. It is a soft plant. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly lobed at the base of the plant, and slender and feathery higher on the flowering stems. Although sometimes eaten alone, the seeds often are used as a spice or an added ingredient in other foods.