Parsley Piert, Field parsley piert
Aphanes arvensis
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
Aphanes arvensis is a ANNUAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to October, and the seeds ripen from July to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 0.1
Where it is found
Arable and dry stony ground and old walls on acid and basic soils.
Most of Europe, including Britain, east to Iran in W. Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Leaves - eaten raw in salads or pickled for winter use. The plant is rarely eaten nowadays.
Medicine
Rating: 3
Parsley piert has a long history of folk use, being commonly employed to rid the body of stones in the kidney or bladder. It has become a highly respected herb in modern herbalism for the treatment of kidney stones. The whole herb is astringent, demulcent, diuretic and refrigerant. It is used mainly as an infusion in the treatment of kidney and bladder complaints (including cystitis and recurrent urinary infections), jaundice etc. A very valuable remedy, acting violently but safely by promoting the flow of urine, it is often used in combination with other herbs. The plant is harvested in early summer and can be used fresh or dried. The herb is considered to be most efficacious when it is freshly collected and dried.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Demulcent: Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Refrigerant: Cools the body.
Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Succeeds in most well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade. The plant tolerates stony or gravelly soils as well as both acid and alkaline conditions. It grows well in a short lawn. This is an aggregate species that contains a number of very closely related species.
Propagating it: Seed - sow autumn in situ. The seed is best sown in dry weather.
Best place to grow: Lawn; Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist