SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 12211.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "12211" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Canadian honewort

Scientific Name: Cryptotaenia canadensis

Family: Apiaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: FL (honewort), ME (wild chervil)

       

Canadian Honewort (Cryptotaenia canadensis)

Canadian Honewort, scientifically known as Cryptotaenia canadensis, is also commonly referred to as Wild Chervil. It is a woodland wildflower found blooming in shady areas during the summer.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that the plant is edible; it is referred to as a herb.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cryptotaenia canadensis (L.) DC.
  • Family: Apiaceae (Carrot or Parsley family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)
  • Synonyms: Wild Chervil, White Chervil, Umbelweed, Japanese Parsley, Mitsuba, Mitzuba, Japanese Honewort.
  • Etymology: The genus name Cryptotaenia comes from the Greek words "cryptos" (hidden) and "tainia" (fillet), referring to the hidden oil tubes in the plant. The species name canadensis means "of Canada".

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the eastern United States and eastern Canada.
  • Specifically found in rich, moist forests, stream banks, and low roadsides.
  • Its range extends down to Florida and covers the eastern two-thirds of North America.
  • Historically collected in Maine, though now considered rare there.

Morphological Characteristics

  • A perennial herb, growing up to 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) in height and 0.6 meters (2 feet) in width.
  • Flowers are small (1/8 inch across), white with 5 petals, and arranged in ill-defined flat clusters.
  • Leaves, stems, and tuberous roots are noted.
  • Leaves are broad, flat, pinnately veined, and trifoliate with serrated leaflets.
  • Erect habit.

Additional Information

  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs).
  • Hardy to zone (UK) 5.
  • According to "Dr. Allen's Edible Plants of the Gulf South", the leaves, stems, and tuberous roots are edible.

Resources

  • USDA Plant Profile: provides information on the plant, including its scientific and common names.
  • USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol.
  • Wikimedia Commons: contains media files related to Cryptotaenia canadensis.