Wild Chervil
(Anthriscus sylvestris)
Herbaceous, monocarpic perennial that has hollow stems covered in soft hairs.
Overview
Other names for this plant include:- Common names: bur chervil, cow parsley, keck
- Scientific names: Chaerophyllum sylvestre
- Invades roadsides, open woods, fields and pastures.
- It is a host to parsnip yellow fleck virus which infects carrots, celery and parsnips.
- It has been planted as an ornamental and is found in some European wildflower seed mixes.
Classification in Wisconsin: Prohibited/Restricted (Restricted in Adams, Barron, Chippewa, Crawford, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Dunn, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Ozaukee, Polk, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Taylor, Vernon, Walworth, Waukesha and Washington counties; Prohibited elsewhere)
Species Assessment Groups (SAG) were assembled to recommend a legal classification for each species considered for NR 40. The recommendation for wild chervil was based upon this literature review [PDF] developed by the department.
Identification
Leaves: Alternate, fern-like leaflets are nearly hairless with the leaf base clasping the stem.
Flowers: Umbels of small, 5-petaled, white flowers blooms late May through early July.
Fruits and seeds: Each flower produces 2 shiny, long brown seeds that are joined.
Roots: Thick taproot with lateral buds can be up to 6’ deep.
Similar species: Wild Carrot (Daucus carota; non-native) has bracts at the base of each umbel and often has a purple flower in the center of the umbel. Japanese and spreading hedge parsley (Torilis japonica and T. arvensis; both invasive) leaves are sparse and both are more freely branching. Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum; invasive) is taller, up to 9.5’, and has stems that are ridged and have purple mottling.
Control
Mechanical: Hand pull or dig up rosettes or small plants ensuring to remove the entire root. Repeated mowing throughout the growing season will deplete root reserves and prevent seed set.
Chemical: Foliar spray with either clopyralid or dicamba before blooming and one month after a pre-bloom cut.
For more information on control techniques, visit the Wild chervil factsheet [exit DNR] by University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Photos
View wild chervil pictures in our photo gallery!
Resources
Sources for content:- Czarapata, Elizabeth; Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest: an illustrated guide to their identification and control. University of Wisconsin Press. 2005. Pg. 70-72