Cow Parsley, Wild chervil
Anthriscus sylvestris

Family: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae

What it is like

A herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial plant in the family Apiaceae and related to parsley, carrot, hemlock and hogweed. that can be confused with giant cow parsley (Heracleum mantegazzianum) or French cow parsley (Orlaya grandiflora). Some medicinal, edible and other uses although it does have an unpleasant flavour. Common names include cow parsley, wild chervil, wild beaked parsley, keck, or Queen Anne's lace.

Anthriscus sylvestris is a BIENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to June, and the seeds ripen from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 1.2

Where it is found

A very common plant of roadsides, hedges etc.

Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and Siberia.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

The leaves are eaten raw, cooked as a potherb or used as a flavouring. They taste somewhat less than wonderful. Root - cooked.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The root is soaked for several days in rice washings and then cooked with other foods as a tonic for general weakness.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 1

A beautiful green dye is obtained from the leaves and stem but it is not very permanent.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

How it is grown

Succeeds in most soils. Shade tolerant. The root has been recommended for improvement by selection and breeding as an edible crop. This plant looks quite similar to some poisonous species, make sure that you identify it correctly.

Propagating it: Seed - sow as soon as ripe (June/July) in situ. The seed can also be sown April/May in situ. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedgerow;

Habit: Biennial

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

This plant is suspected of being poisonous to mammals. It also looks very similar to some very poisonous species so great care must be taken when identifying it.

Noxious Weed: Massachusetts, US (wild chervil) Prohibited. Washington, US -Class B noxious weed. This plant can be weedy or invasive in other areas.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Chaerophyllum sylvestre L.