Anthriscus cerefolium
Common name
chervil, garden chervil
Synonyms
Chaerophylum sativum.
Family
Apiaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Conservation status
Not applicable
Brief description
Annual or biennial herb with soft, bipinnate leaves; when crushed, have aniseed aroma. Stems to 700 mm tall; flowers in umbels, white; fruit of 2 mericarps that mostly remain joined when ripe
Habitat
Gardens, adjoining waste areas
Similar taxa
Anthriscus caucalis has fruits covered in fine hooks. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) has flowers with unequal petals around the outer edges of the umbels. The very poisonous Hemlock (Conium maculatum) has purple streaks on the stems and has an offensive odour (not an aniseed aroma).
Flower colours
White
Propagation technique
seed
Year naturalised
First record 2019
Reason for introduction
Culinary
Etymology
anthriscus: A Greek name for a similar culinary plant described by Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD)