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hairyfruit chervil

Scientific Name: Chaerophyllum tainturieri var. tainturieri

Family: Apiaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Hairy Chervil: A Detailed Overview

This page provides information about various plants commonly referred to as "chervil," with a particular focus on those described as "hairy" or having "hairy fruit." Understanding the nuances of these plants requires careful attention to their scientific nomenclature and characteristics.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that some fruits can attach to fur.
  • The text also notes that some varieties are hairy or prickly, which might be a concern for animals that graze or brush against the plants.

Considerations for Children

  • The text indicates that the fruits of some chervil varieties can be hairy or prickly.
  • The leaves of some species are fern-like and may appear delicate, potentially attracting children's curiosity.

Scientific Names and Common Names

  • Scientific Names:
    • Chaerophyllum tainturieri Hook.
    • Chaerophyllum tainturieri var. tainturieri Hook.
    • Chaerophyllum hirsutum
    • Chaerophyllum bulbosum L.
    • Chaerophyllum temulum
  • Common Names:
    • Hairy-fruit chervil
    • Hairyfruit chervil
    • Wild chervil
    • Chervil
    • Hairy Chervil
    • Spreading chervil
    • Rough Chervil
    • Turniproot chervil
    • Turnip-root chervil
  • Cultivar:
    • Hairy Chervil 'Roseum'

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Family: Apiaceae (Carrot Family)
  • Genus: Chaerophyllum L.
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species, Variety, Cultivar
    • Species: e.g., Chaerophyllum tainturieri
    • Variety: e.g., Chaerophyllum tainturieri var. tainturieri
    • Cultivar: e.g., Chaerophyllum hirsutum roseum
  • Synonyms/Alternative Names: Several common names are used synonymously.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the U.S. Rocky Mountains.
  • Found in open glades and fallow fields.
  • Indigenous to south-eastern Europe, western Asia, and central Europe.
  • Kashmir Chervil is found in the Himalayas, from Pakistan.

Ecological Role

  • Wild Chervil is listed as an invasive species in some regions.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Leaves: Delicate, fern-like, nearly hairless to hairy, and compound. Some varieties have sharp-tipped leaves with hairy edges.
  • Stems: Light green to purplish green, hairy, shiny, branched, hollow, and grooved. Typically 1-5 feet tall when mature. Leaf-sheath is inflated in some varieties.
  • Flowers: Inconspicuous white flowers in tight umbels or feathery, loose, rounded, compound umbels. The cultivar Chaerophyllum hirsutum 'Roseum' features umbels of ivory-white flowers. Bloom from May to July.
  • Fruits: Black, elongated oval shape, approximately 0.2 inches long. Narrow fruit somewhat wider near the base, smooth or hairy, and about 0.2 inches long. Some fruits are elliptic, 2-parted, glossy, glabrous, brown, and shiny black when mature. They may have ridged ribs.
  • Size: Rough Chervil can grow up to 1 meter tall.

Historical and Traditional Uses

  • Chervil has been historically used as an expectorant, aromatic, bitters, tonic, and digestive stimulant.
  • It has also been used topically as an eyewash.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Fruits can attach to fur or clothing, aiding in seed dispersal.

Quirky Facts

  • The text humorously notes that Chaerophyllum tainturieri var. tainturieri is "a mouthful" to pronounce.
  • One passage suggests that the common name "hairy-fruit chervil" is a misnomer, implying that the fruits are sometimes smooth.
  • Some varieties smell of aniseed when crushed.

Resources and Further Information

  • RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) - Offers help and information on Chaerophyllum hirsutum 'Roseum'.
  • USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database - Source of a photo of Chaerophyllum tainturieri.
  • Steven J. Baskauf - Listed as a source for information on Chaerophyllum tainturieri.