3. Wild Chervil / Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)
Description: Wild Chervil, or Cow Parsley, has delicate, feathery green leaves with a lacy appearance. It produces small white flowers in umbrella-like clusters during spring and early summer, supported by hollow, slightly ridged stems.
Where to Find: Roadsides, meadows, hedgerows, and woodland edges across Europe and temperate Asia.
What to Look For:
Delicate, feathery green leaves with a lacy appearance.
Small white flowers in umbrella-like clusters (umbels) in spring and early summer.
Hollow, slightly ridged stems.
Lookalikes & Cautions:
Hemlock (Conium maculatum) and Hemlock Water Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) are deadly and look similar.Hemlock has a smooth, purple-blotched stem and a strong, unpleasant odour. Be extemely careful foraging unless you have expert identification skills.