No images found for this plant ID: 2527.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "2527" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
parsley piert
Scientific Name: Aphanes
Family: Rosaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Parsley Piert: A Closer Look
Parsley Piert, often overlooked due to its small size, is an interesting plant with a history of both practical and traditional uses. This unassuming herb can be found in various environments and has a few intriguing characteristics.
Considerations for Pets
- The text mentions the presence of hairy leaves, which could potentially cause mild irritation if ingested or come into contact with sensitive skin, though specific toxicity isn't mentioned.
Considerations for Children
- Parsley Piert is a small plant, easily overlooked, with leaves divided into lobes. While no explicit safety concerns are mentioned, its small size could present a choking hazard for very young children.
Scientific Name and Common Names
- Scientific Name: Aphanes arvensis
- Common Names: Parsley Piert, Slender Parsley-piert, Field Parsley Piert
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)
- Genus: Aphanes (containing approximately 20 species)
- Synonyms/Alternative Names: Alchemilla arvensis is mentioned as a synonym in some instances.
- Aphanes australis is mentioned as Slender Parsley Piert and it is similar to Aphanes arvensis
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Europe, Asia, and Australia.
- Commonly found in lawns, fields, pastures, and cornfields.
- Prefers dry, loamy, calcareous soils.
- Grows in waste places and on wall tops.
- Found on soils within the pH range of 4.0 to 7.5.
- Also grows commonly throughout New Zealand.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Annual plant.
- Tiny plant, typically growing only to around 4 inches (0.1 meters) high and 0.2 meters wide.
- Low-growing with many stems.
- Fan-shaped hairy leaves that alternate on the stems.
- Leaves contain three lobes, each with divisions.
- Small, greenish flowers.
Traditional and Modern Uses
- Historically used in folk medicine.
- Traditionally used to treat kidney stones, infections, and to soothe and heal cuts and scratches.
- Reported to soothe the linings of the body.
- Leaves were once used in salads and pickled for use during winter.
Ecological Role
- Considered a lawn and turf weed, particularly in closely mown turf lacking nutrients.
Quirky Facts
- Parsley Piert is so inconspicuous that it can easily be overlooked in its wild habitat.
- It is said that the Parsley Piert flowers are so small they are difficult to find before you actually even start to try and identify them!
Further Information
- WebMD provides patient medical information on Parsley Piert.
- Bayer CropScience information regarding crop protection products.
- Collins English Dictionary provides a definition of "parsley piert."