Wild Chervil

Anthriscus sylvestris

Family: Apiaceae

Other Common Names: cow-parsley
Weed class: B
Year Listed: 1989
Native to: Europe
Is this Weed Toxic?:

not known to be

Legal listings:

This plant is also on the Washington State quarantine list. It is prohibited to transport, buy, sell, offer for sale, or distribute plants or plant parts of quarantined species into or within the state of Washington or to sell, offer for sale, or distribute seed packets of seed, flower seed blends, or wildflower mixes of quarantined species into or within the state of Washington. Please see WAC 16-752 for more information on the quarantine list. For questions about the quarantine list, contact the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Plant Services Program at (360) 902-1874 or email PlantServices@agr.wa.gov.

Why Is It a Noxious Weed?

Wild chervil is highly adaptable and will grow in almost any type of soil. It has an aggressive growth habit which quickly creates monocultures. It poses a serious threat to native plants and agriculture.

How would I identify it?

General Description

Wild chervil is an upright biennial or short lived perennial. It can reach a height of 1 to 3 feet.

Flower Description

Flowers in umbels, up to 3.1 inches wide, flower stalks originating from one point. Flowers are small and white and bloom from April to May.

Leaf description

Leaves are finely divided, fern like and slightly hairy. Plants have basal and stem leaves, stem leaves that reduce in size up the stem.

Stem description

Stems are hollow and ridged. They are hairy on the lower portion and smooth on the upper portions.

Fruit Seed Description

Fruits are black, elongated oval shape and about 0.2 inches long.

Where does it grow?

Wild chervil is found along roadsides, pastures, forest edges, and in waste areas. Please click here to see a county level distribution map of wild chervil in Washington.