Cow Parsley
Anthriscus sylvestris
Also listed as Chaerophyllum sylvestre, Myrrhodes sylvestre
Also known as Wild Chervil, Wild Beaked Parsley, Keck
Climate Match for your location
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A delicate, ferny-leaved wildflower with white lacy flower clusters that bloom in spring. Common along roadsides and in woodlands, it self-seeds readily and can become weedy in some regions.
Why grow it
Cow parsley offers early spring nectar and pollen for beneficial insects at a time when few other plants are flowering, making it useful in supporting pollinators during the shoulder season. It establishes readily from seed and requires minimal maintenance once established, distinguishing it from cultivated ornamental alternatives that demand regular inputs. However, gardeners seeking similar ferny foliage and white spring flowers may find cultivars of sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata) or native alternatives more suitable depending on regional context and management goals.
Watch out for
Cow parsley closely resembles poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) and water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii), which are toxic. Positive identification is important before handling or harvesting. The plant prefers moist soils and partial shade; in ideal conditions it may spread more vigorously than desired in a managed garden setting.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Apiaceae
Native Range
Europe and western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A delicate, ferny-leaved wildflower with white lacy flower clusters that bloom in spring. Common along roadsides and in woodlands, it self-seeds readily and can become weedy in some regions.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Cow Parsley grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Cow parsley offers early spring nectar and pollen for beneficial insects at a time when few other plants are flowering, making it useful in supporting pollinators during the shoulder season. It establishes readily from seed and requires minimal maintenance once established, distinguishing it from cultivated ornamental alternatives that demand regular inputs. However, gardeners seeking similar ferny foliage and white spring flowers may find cultivars of sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata) or native alternatives more suitable depending on regional context and management goals.
Watch out for
Cow parsley closely resembles poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) and water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii), which are toxic. Positive identification is important before handling or harvesting. The plant prefers moist soils and partial shade; in ideal conditions it may spread more vigorously than desired in a managed garden setting.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Apiaceae
Native Range
Europe and western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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