Wild Chervil

Wild Chervil
(Anthriscus sylvestris)
Priority: - Contain
Tags: Agricultural
Identification and Reproduction
Identification
- Biennial, short-lived perennial that is in the carrot/parsley family.
- Grows upright and can almost reach two metres tall.
- Stems are ribbed, green, and has distinct hairs on lower portion
- Tuberous roots can extend almost two metres into soil.
- Wild chervil has white flowers in umbrella-like clusters, with bract-like leaves under flowers. Clusters are found at the top of stem. Blooms occur from April to May.
- Leaves are triangular, finely divided, resembling ferns, softly hairy.
Reproduction:
- Spreads rapidly through seed and vegetative fragments such as root buds.
- Seeds are easily dispersed by wind, animals and people.
- Its deep taproot makes it difficult to remove.
Habitat & Ecology
- Wild chervil prefers moist, rich soils that are moderately disturbed.
- It is only found in open habitats.
- It is commonly found along dithes, roadsides, fences, streambanks and moist woodlands.
- Wild chervil is deemed regionally noxious in BC.
Impacts
Social:
- Will crowd out forage plants.
- Mature plants are toxic and livestock will avoid them.
- Can spread disease to crop species in the same family like carrot, parsnips, and celery.
- Mature plants are toxic and livestock will avoid them.
Ecological:
- Displace native plants and reduce biodiversity.
- Can reduce wildlife habitat.
- It uptakes nutrients and water resources aggressively, out-competing natives vegetation.
Management
- Chemical control may not be an option as wild chervil is often found in wet sites near waterbodies. Chemical applications also may not be effective on the deep taproot.
- Be cautious when purchasing wildflower seed mixes, especially if they are not locally produced. These can contain seeds of wild chervil and other invasive species.
Mechanical/Manual Control:
- Can be mechanically controlled if taproot can be entirely removed, this can be done through hand-pulling or digging.
- Mowing can be effective prior to seed set.
- Bag and seal any removed parts for landfill.
Resources
Download the Metro Vancouver's Best Management Practices here.
King County is also a good resource for historic and identification information on the wild chervil.
For more information on wild chervil identification and its look-alike, poison hemlock check out the Jefferson County Weed Control Board's factsheet here.
Another resource to help compare wild chervil to simliar species is provided by E-flora BC.
View header photo here.