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fool's parsley
Scientific Name: Aethusa cynapium
Family: Apiaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual
Other Names:
Fool's Parsley (Aethusa cynapium)
Fool's parsley, scientifically known as Aethusa cynapium, is an annual (rarely biennial) herb belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is also known by the common names fool's cicely or poison parsley.
Considerations for Pets
- The entire Fool's Parsley plant is known to be poisonous.
Considerations for Children
- The entire Fool's Parsley plant is known to be poisonous.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Aethusa cynapium
- Common Names: Fool's parsley, Fool's cicely, Poison parsley
- Family: Apiaceae (also known as Umbelliferae)
- Synonyms: Dogs Parsley, Dog Bane, Lesser hemlock
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Europe and western Asia.
- It has been introduced and naturalized in many parts of the world, including parts of North America.
- Often grows on the edges of arable fields.
- Prefers swampy habitats.
Morphological Characteristics
- Annual or biennial growing form.
- Low to medium height, hairless plant.
- Stems are ribbed.
- Leaves are 2 or 3 pinnate and dark green.
- Flowers are white, approximately 2 mm in size, and arranged in umbels with 10 to 20 rays.
- Petals are unequal.
- Bracts are absent, but narrow bracteoles hang below the flower umbels.
- Grows 1 to 2 feet high on slender, smooth green stems that branch in the upper part.
- The plant can reach 50 cm in height.
Ecological Role
- Considered a weed.