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Torilis arvensis

common hedge parsley

Apiaceae

Europe, North Africa, and western Asia

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

Overview

Torilis arvensis is an upright annual in the Apiaceae growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall on slender, branching, hairy stems. The leaves are finely divided, twice or three times pinnate, with narrow segments, similar to those of many carrot-family plants. Small white to pinkish flowers cluster in open, flat-topped umbels 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across from late spring into summer. Each flower gives way to a small egg-shaped fruit covered in hooked bristles that catch on fur and clothing, which spreads the seed widely. The plant grows quickly from seed, sets seed in large numbers, and behaves as a weed of roadsides, field edges, pastures, and disturbed ground. It is listed as invasive or as a noxious weed in parts of the United States. Hardy through its annual cycle in USDA zones 5-10, it grows in full sun to partial shade in most soils and tolerates poor, dry ground. Native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, Torilis arvensis has naturalized across North America and other temperate regions.

Native Range

Torilis arvensis is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. It has naturalized across much of North America and other temperate regions, growing on roadsides, field margins, pastures, and disturbed ground.

Suggested Uses

Found mainly as a weed of disturbed ground rather than a planted ornamental, Torilis arvensis appears on roadsides, field edges, and pastures. It has little garden use and is generally removed where it appears.

How to Identify

Identify Torilis arvensis by its open, flat-topped umbels of tiny white to pinkish flowers on slender, hairy, branching stems, and its finely divided, fern-like leaves. The clinching feature is the small egg-shaped fruit covered in hooked bristles that stick to fur and clothing. The bur-like fruits separate it from smoother-fruited members of the carrot family.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

Spring Summer

Small white to pinkish flowers open in flat-topped umbels from late spring into summer, typically May to July. Each umbel is loose and open rather than dense. Bristly fruits follow and ripen through summer, clinging to anything that brushes past.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pink

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Torilis arvensis grows in full sun to partial shade in most soils across a pH of 5.5-7.5 and tolerates poor, dry, and disturbed ground. As an annual it completes its life cycle in one season and needs no special care. It seeds heavily, and the bristly fruits spread on animals and clothing, so it can move quickly into new ground. Pulling plants before the seed ripens limits the spread. It needs no fertilizer and often grows where little else does.

Pruning

Pruning is not part of growing this annual. Cutting or pulling plants before the bristly fruits ripen is the main way to limit seeding and spread. Removing whole plants at flowering time clears them before seed sets.