SafePlants

Spreading Chervil (Chaerophyllum procumbens)

Chaerophyllum procumbens, commonly known as spreading chervil or wild chervil, is an annual forb belonging to the Apiaceae (Carrot) family.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions the plant having slender, spreading, weak stems.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Chaerophyllum procumbens (L.) Crantz
• Common Names: Spreading chervil, Wild chervil
• Family: Apiaceae (Carrot family)
• Taxonomic Rank: Species, Variety (Chaerophyllum procumbens var. procumbens)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the eastern United States and Canada.
• Common in most areas of Illinois.

Ecological Role

• Spreading chervil spreads by reseeding itself.
• In farms, it can spread aggressively and choke out crops and desirable forage and hay species.
• It competes with native plants for light.

Morphological Characteristics

• Annual herb, growing to a height of 4-24 inches.
• Stems are slender, spreading, weak, often branched from the base, and either glabrous (smooth) or slightly hairy at the base.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The leaves of the invasive species wild chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris) can look very similar to spreading chervil when young.

Further Information

• Endangered Resces Program
• Encyclopedia of Life
• Dave's Garden
• Wikimedia Commons
• USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
• Discover Life
• TERMIUM (Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank)