Practical
Plants

Anthriscus sylvestris

Cow Parsley

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial
Height
1.2 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This plant is suspected of being poisonous to mammals[9]. It also looks very similar to some very poisonous species so great care must be taken when identifying it[2].

Edible uses

The leaves are eaten raw, cooked as a potherb or used as a flavouring[7][2][8][3]. They taste somewhat less than wonderful[K]. Root - cooked[3].

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.

The root is soaked for several days in rice washings and then cooked with other foods as a tonic for general weakness[5].

Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

A beautiful green dye is obtained from the leaves and stem but it is not very permanent[1].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and Siberia.
Habitat
A very common plant of roadsides, hedges etc[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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.

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils. Shade tolerant[6]. The root has been recommended for improvement by selection and breeding as an edible crop[3]. This plant looks quite similar to some poisonous species, make sure that you identify it correctly.

References

  1. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

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  2. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

  5. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

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  6. Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

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  7. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

    ↩1↩2

  8. De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.

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  9. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

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