Seasonal Wild Flowers

Cow Parsley

Anthriscus sylvestris

Apiaceae

The main flowering season is between April to June, with

occasional flowering during the rest of the year.

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Cow Parsley

It is the first and most common umbellifer of spring and

is found beside roads, footpaths and hedges, the edges

of woods, rivers, canals and fields, and on railway

embankments, waste-land, brownfield sites and rough

grassland.

Cow Parsley is a native, perennial herb growing up

to 1.5m.

The white, flowering umbels are up to 6cm across

with the outer petals of individual flowers bigger than

the inner ones.

The leaves are bright green and 3-pinnate.

Roadside Cow Parsley

Umbel

Secondary umbel

Irregular petals, 5 stamens

3-pinnate leaves

Long, narrow fruits, persistent stigmas