Seasonal Wild Flowers

Fool's Parsley

Aethusa cynapium

Apiaceae

June to October

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Fool's Parsley

It grows in hedge banks, cultivated fields and waste ground.

It is a weed of arable land and gardens.

Fool's Parsley is a native, annual herb, growing up to 120cm.

Flowers are white (2mm) and in umbels (2 to 6cm).

Petals are notched and unequal, especially at the edge of the

secondary umbel.

Bracteoles are conspicuous on the outer side of the secondary

umbels.

Leaves are pinnatifid- parsley like.

The stem is wiry and ridged.

The stem, bracteles and leaves can be glabrous (hairless).

Fool's Parsley, garden weed, Dorset

Flowerhead, umbel

Equal- and unequal-petalled flowers

Long bracteoles

Fruits

Parsley-like leaves