Herb: Cow Parsley


Latin name: Anthriscus sylvestris


Family: Umbelliferae



Medicinal use of Cow Parsley:

The root is soaked for several days in rice washings and then cooked with other foods as a tonic for general weakness.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Biennial


Height:
120 cm
(4 feet)

Flowering:
April
to June

Habitat of the herb:

A very common plant of roadsides, hedges etc.

Edible parts of Cow Parsley:

The leaves are eaten raw, cooked as a potherb or used as a flavouring. They taste somewhat less than wonderful. Root - cooked.

Other uses of the herb:

A beautiful green dye is obtained from the leaves and stem but it is not very permanent.

Propagation of Cow Parsley:

Seed - sow as soon as ripe (June/July) in situ. The seed can also be sown April/May in situ. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°C.

Cultivation of the herb:

A very common plant of roadsides, hedges etc.

Known hazards of Anthriscus sylvestris:

This plant is suspected of being poisonous to mammals. It also looks very similar to some very poisonous species so great care must be taken when identifying it.

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.