Overview
Cyclospermum leptophyllum is a slender annual herb in the carrot family (Apiaceae), reaching 4-24 inches (10-60 cm) tall. The stems are erect to ascending, glabrous, branched, and finely grooved lengthwise. Leaves are two to four times pinnately divided into thread-like segments 0.2-0.8 inch (5-20 mm) long, giving the foliage a feathery outline; lower leaves are stalked while upper leaves become nearly sessile. Tiny flowers are borne in compound umbels of 2-7 rays, each umbel usually lacking bracts and bracteoles, with petals white to greenish and under 0.04 inch (1 mm) across. The fruit is an ovoid schizocarp 0.06-0.08 inch (1.5-2 mm) long, prominently ribbed, splitting into two seed-like mericarps. A taproot anchors the plant, which completes its life cycle within a single season and self-seeds in disturbed, moist ground. As a widespread colonizer of lawns, garden beds, pavement cracks, and waste areas, it is treated as a weed across much of its naturalized range. One limitation for identification is its close resemblance to other small annual Apiaceae, which requires fruit and umbel detail to separate reliably.
Native Range
Cyclospermum leptophyllum is native to South America. It has naturalized widely across tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate regions worldwide, including the southern United States, Australia, southern Europe, Africa, and Asia.Suggested Uses
This species is seldom cultivated and is encountered chiefly as a weed of lawns, gardens, and disturbed moist ground. It is occasionally recorded in ethnobotanical use as a flavoring herb within its native range. In a reference context it serves as an example of weedy annual Apiaceae.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 2'
Width/Spread2" - 10"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs mainly in spring and early summer, though in frost-free climates plants may flower across much of the year. The small white to greenish umbels are followed within a few weeks by ribbed fruits. Seed set is prolific, supporting rapid self-sowing.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to greenishFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 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
Water & Climate
Water Needs