Jesse Saylor
Family
Apiaceae
Botanical Name
Aethusa cynapium
Plant Common Name
Fool's Parsley
General Description
A Eurasian native that resembles garden parsley but possesses powerful toxins, this annual or biennial has naturalized in parts of the eastern United States.
The ferny, much-divided, chervil-like leaves of fool's parsley are borne on well-branched, calf- to thigh-high stems. The dark shiny leaves release an unpleasant odor when bruised. In spring or summer, plants bear flat, spoked, long-stemmed umbels of small white flowers. The umbels typically have several conspicuous, drooping, needle-shaped bracts. Small oval fruits with prominent ribs follow the flowers.
This weed typically occurs in roadsides and waste areas. Control it by hoeing or pulling plants before they set fruit. For information on its toxic properties see http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aethusa%20cynapium .
Characteristics
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Plant Type
Annual
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
8"-30" / 20.3cm - 76.2cm
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Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
Europe, Asia
Ornamental Features
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Flower Color
White
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Fruit Color
Green, Tan
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
Yes
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
