French Parsley Anthriscus cerefolium
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- an-THRIS-kus ser-eh-FOL-ee-um
- Description
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Chervil is an herb native to the Middle East, Russia and the Caucasus but has spread to much of the world including the more northern areas of North America. It is generally grown as an annual but in milder areas can be a biennial. The leaves and flowers are used to season poultry, seafood, and vegetables and have an herbal, parsley, faint licorice flavor. They are often added to omelets, salads, butters and soups. Chervil is a great companion plant for radishes and lettuces.
To propagate, sow seeds in the ground or in pots in the early spring– they need light to germinate and do not transplant well. Space plants 15 in. apart. This plant prefers moist well-drained soils in partial to full sun. Use in a container or edible garden. The fern-like leaves are attractive enough to use in the garden.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Extension Master Gardener℠ Demonstration Garden, Durham Co.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Anthriscus
- Species:
- cerefolium
- Family:
- Apiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Has been used medicinally in the past
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Biennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Middle East, Russia and the Caucasus
- Distribution:
- world-wide
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators to the nectar and pollen-rich flowers
- Edibility:
- Leaves common, but flowers and seeds as well; Use leaves in salads, soups, sauces, teas, and butters. Leaves can be harvested throughout the summer and fall.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Herb
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small white 5 petaled flowers in umbrels 1-2 inches across. Blooms late spring to summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Light green feathery tripinnate leaves may be curly or flat with a mild aniseed flavor. They are fern-like in appearance
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Humidity
- Poor Soil
- Storm damage
