ExplorePlants

Cow Parsley

Anthriscus sylvestris

Cow Parsley is a tall, leafy plant with fluffy white flowers that bloom in spring and summer. It grows in fields and along roadsides, making it a lovely sight in nature.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Cow Parsley has delicate clusters of tiny white flowers forming flat-topped 'umbels' atop hollow, ridged stems. Its lacy, fern-like leaves are a vibrant green, giving it a frothy appearance along hedgerows and verges. Unlike its poisonous look-alikes, its stems are typically green and hairy, not purple-spotted and smooth.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderApialesFamilyApiaceaeGenusAnthriscus
Cow Parsley
flowering trait badgebiennial trait badgecluster_flower trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
Cow Parsley

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Cow Parsley can create a beautiful 'white wave' effect along roadsides in spring!

It's often confused with deadly Hemlock, so never taste it without an expert!

Its hollow stems were once used by children to make pea-shooters and whistles!

The seeds have tiny hooks that help them hitchhike on passing animals!

Special abilities

Ability

Mimicry Shield

Cow Parsley can look very similar to dangerous plants, which might make some animals avoid it, helping it stay safe.

Ability

Nectar Beacon

It produces abundant nectar, attracting many different insects, which helps it get pollinated by lots of visitors.

Ability

Rapid Colonizer

Cow Parsley can quickly spread its seeds and establish itself in new areas, allowing it to dominate open spaces.

Measurements & details

Height
60-150 cm
Spread
30-90 cm
Flower Size
0.2-0.3 cm
Bloom Season
Spring to early Summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Biennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

visits flowers for nectar and pollen

pollinates

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

an important pollinator for its flowers

eaten by

Roe Deer

Capreolus capreolus

browses on young leaves and stems

shelters

Common Fruit Fly

Drosophila melanogaster

larvae can be found in dying stems

eats

Old World Swallowtail

Papilio machaon

larvae occasionally feed on leaves

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Don't touch or eat any plants without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Cow Parsley?

60-150 cm

How wide does Cow Parsley spread?

30-90 cm

How big are the flowers on Cow Parsley?

0.2-0.3 cm

When does Cow Parsley bloom?

Spring to early Summer

Is Cow Parsley edible?

Yes

Is Cow Parsley toxic?

None

What is Cow Parsley's lifecycle?

Biennial

How is Cow Parsley pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

More Plants