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Spreding Hedge Parsley Torilis arvensis

Description

Common Hedge Parsely is an annual weed in the carrot family with showy white umbel flowers that appear in early to mid-summer.  This plant is found all over Eurasia, has spread to N. America and is found along roadsides, disturbed areas, thickets, and recently logged woodlands.  The plant has a taproot, self-seeds easily and disperses its bristly seeds on animal fur or clothing.    

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#feathery leaves#nectar plant#wasps#winter annual weed#thickets#self-seeding#disturbed areas#pollinator plant#annual weed#cool season weed#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#spring annual weed#bee friendly#weed#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#feathery leaves#nectar plant#wasps#winter annual weed#thickets#self-seeding#disturbed areas#pollinator plant#annual weed#cool season weed#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#spring annual weed#bee friendly#weed#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Torilis
    Species:
    arvensis
    Family:
    Apiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, East Asia, North Africa
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, CA, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract pollinators, bees, flies, wasps and caterpillars of the butterfly Papilio polyxenes asterius (Black Swallowtail) feed on the leaves.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Pink
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Oblong bur-like seed with straight to curved bristles that attach themselves to animal fur and clothing to aid in dispersal. It starts out rosey-green and matures to brown.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    2"-3" across umbles with about 8 umblets containing 8 1/8" flowers each. Each flower has 5 unequal white petals and 5 stamens. Petals may have a pink or reddish tinge. Blooms happen early to mid-summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Deltoid
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Pinnately or bipinnately compound with trifoliate leaflets. Leaflets are 1-2 inches long and .75 inches wide. Leaves are triangular-shaped fern-like alternate leaves with long slender petioles. Leaves close to the flowers are lanceolate or narrowly ovate. 6" long and 4" wide with short white hairs on the upper surface.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Slender, round, covered in white fine hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Problems:
    Weedy