Chaerophyllum temulum
rough chervil
Europe, North Africa, and western Asia
Overview
Chaerophyllum temulum is a biennial, sometimes annual, member of the carrot family found in hedgerows and at woodland edges. It grows 12-40 inches (30-100 cm) tall on solid, roughly hairy stems that are blotched and spotted with purple and slightly swollen below each leaf joint. The much-divided leaves are dull green, often purple-tinged, two to three times pinnate, and softly hairy. From June to July, after cow parsley has finished, it bears umbels of small white flowers 0.06-0.1 inches (1.5-2.5 mm) across, the flower clusters drooping at the tip before opening fully. The narrow, ridged fruits are 0.2-0.3 inches (4-7 mm) long and taper toward the top. The plant grows on hedge banks, shaded roadsides, woodland margins, and rough grassland on fertile, often calcareous soils in sun or partial shade. All parts are poisonous, containing the toxic compound chaerophylline, and the rough hairy stems and purple spotting help separate it from edible relatives. As a biennial it forms a leaf rosette in its first year and flowers, seeds, and dies in the second.
Native Range
Native across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, reaching north to the British Isles and Scandinavia. Common in lowland England and Wales along hedgerows and shaded edges.Suggested Uses
Found in wild hedgerows, shaded verges, and woodland-edge vegetation rather than cultivated borders. Its early-summer umbels feed flies, beetles, and small bees in shaded margins. The plant forms part of native hedge-bank and woodland-edge communities.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'4"
Width/Spread8" - 1'6"
Bloom Information
White flower umbels open from June to July, a few weeks later than cow parsley. The clusters nod at the tip before the small flowers open, then are visited by flies, beetles, and small bees. Ridged fruits ripen through midsummer and shed seed nearby.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight