Practical
Plants

Anthriscus cerefolium

Chervil

a biennial member of the Anthriscus genus in the family Umbelliferae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial
Height
0.45 m
Spread
0.25 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Edible leaves - raw in salads or used as a flavouring in cooked foods such as soups and stews[7][2][10][16][18][20][1][12]. A mild aromatic flavour[6] that is suggestive of aniseed[11]. The leaves are often used as a flavouring, they form the basis of the seasoning 'fines herbes'[8] and are an essential ingredient of 'bouquet garni'[12]. The leaves should always be used fresh because the delicate flavour does not withstand drying or prolonged cooking[11][12]. The leaves are ready for harvesting in about 8 weeks from sowing, the plant responds well to cut and come again harvesting[8]. The flowers are used as a seasoning[6]. The root is said to be edible[4][6].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Chervil is not widely used as a medicinal herb, though it is sometimes employed as a 'spring tonic' for cleansing the liver and kidneys, is a good remedy for settling the digestion and is said to be of value in treating poor memory and mental depression[11][12][14]. The fresh plant, harvested just before flowering, is digestive, diuretic, expectorant, poultice and stimulant[21][10][9]. The juice is used in the treatment of dropsy, arthritis and chronic skin ailments[21]. The bruised leaves are used as a poultice for slow-healing wounds[21] and a warm poultice is applied to painful joints[15]. An infusion of the fresh leaves is also used as an eyewash to treat sore or inflamed eyes[12].

Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Stimulant

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The growing plant is said to repel slugs[11].

Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
South-eastern Europe. Naturalized in Britain[3].
Habitat
Hedgebanks, roadsides and waste places[21][3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow in situ in succession from February to October. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks[8]. The February, September and October sowings should be made in a very sheltered warm and sunny position outdoors or under some protection such as a frame. Other sowings can be made in a position that has at least some shade from the midday sun since the plant runs to seed quickly if it gets too hot or the soil is dry[11]. The seed only remains viable for about a year[11].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a well-drained moisture retentive soil[8]. Plants dislike hot dry summers[8], it is best to give summer crops a cool shady position but winter crops require a sunny position[2][5][17][19]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.8 to 7.6. Plants are hardy to about -10°c[8]. Chervil is occasionally cultivated as a salad plant, especially in France[15]. There are some named varieties[6]. It can supply fresh leaves all year round from successional sowings, especially if given some protection in winter[11]. Although a biennial, it is usually cultivated as an annual[11]. It often self-sows when grown in a suitable position[5][8]. Be careful if harvesting this plant from the wild because it is superficially similar to some poisonous species such as young plants of hemlock, Conium maculatum[12]. Chervil is an aromatic plant with pleasantly scented leaves[13]. It is said to be a good companion plant for growing with carrots and radishes[5][9], the radishes becoming hotter and crisper[9]. It also grows well with dill and coriander[9]. When grown with lettuces it is said to protect them from aphids and ants, the plant is also said to repel slugs[11].

References

  1. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩

  2. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2

  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  9. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  11. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  12. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  13. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  14. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  15. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩1↩2

  16. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩

  17. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩

  18. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  19. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

    ↩

  20. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  21. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

Edit this page