Chervil, Garden chervil
Anthriscus cerefolium
Family: Apiaceae
What it is like
An annual plant with feather like leaves. It grows about 45-60 cm high. It spreads about 30 cm wide. The leaves are pale green and compound. They are divided into narrow segments. Most plants have a few hairs. The flowers are small and white. The fruit are oblong, dry and have a beak. They are 10 mm long. There are some named cultivars.
There are about 12 Anthriscus species.
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate plant. It grows in a well-drained and partially shady site. It cannot tolerate hot, dry conditions. It is hardy to frost. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Cuba, Europe, France, Georgia, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Norway, Russia, Scandinavia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, West Indies
How it is used for food
The leaves have an anise flavour and are used in salads. The leaves are used in French cooking. They can also be cooked as a potherb. The leaves are also dried and stored for later use. They are added to meat and fish as a garnish. They are also used in soups. The flowers are used as a seasoning. The roots are eaten.
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves, herb, spice, flowers, roots, leaf stalk, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Removing older outside leaves allows better new growth.
Seeds germinate in about 2-3 weeks and the plant is ready to harvest in about 6 weeks.
Its other names
Local names
Cerafolio, Cerefolho, Cerfeuil, Cerfoglio, Chabiru, Curled chervil, Kerbel, Kervel, Kjorvel, Korvel, Leaf chervil, Macia madra, Maqdunis, Perifollo, Prava krebuljica, San-lo-po
Synonyms
Anthriscus longirostris Bertol.; Anthriscus sativa Besser; Cerefolium cerefolium (L.) Britton; Scandix cerefolium L.; and others