FLORA OF ICELAND elements: Anthriscus sylvestris, Cow parsley

Anthriscus sylvestris; The Cow parsley is an introduced species that is only found at or near human settlements. It has the typically compound leaves of the parsley family, resembling the Sweet Cicely. The leaves though are glabrous (no hairs) contrary to the leaves of the Sweet Cicely. Also, the leaves of the Cow Parsley are rather dark green, whereas they are light green in the Sweet Cicely. The flowering umbels are very similar but the fruits are quite different: the fruits of the Cow Parsely are smaller and less flattened. The Cow Parsley is a close relative of the garden/kitchen herb chervil.
It is a member of the parsley family (Apiaceae formerly known as Umbelliferae).

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