Chaerophyllum temulum L.
Rough Chervil
Rough chervil is a native biennial of the carrot family, a plant of hedge banks, road verges, wood borders, rides and railway banks, where it favours rank, rough grassland. It is easily told from its relatives by its solid (not hollow), roughly hairy stems, which are commonly blotched or flushed with purple and slightly swollen below the leaf joints.
About
Rough chervil is a native biennial of the carrot family, a plant of hedge banks, road verges, wood borders, rides and railway banks, where it favours rank, rough grassland. It is easily told from its relatives by its solid (not hollow), roughly hairy stems, which are commonly blotched or flushed with purple and slightly swollen below the leaf joints. Reaching up to about a metre, it carries the typical lacy umbels of small white flowers, held above finely divided, somewhat coarse foliage.
Its flowering in June and July is part of its charm and its identity, coming after cow parsley has largely finished and helping to extend the procession of white umbellifers through early summer. The flowers offer nectar and pollen to bees, hoverflies and other insects. It is, however, poisonous, as its name temulum (meaning drunken, after the effects on animals) suggests, and should not be confused with edible chervil. Best suited to hedgerow and wild-margin planting.
Synonyms
Bellia temulenta · Chaerophyllum geniculatum · Chaerophyllum hirsutum · Chaerophyllum temulentum · Chaerophyllum temulum atropurpureum · Chaerophyllum temulum canescens · Chaerophyllum temulum eriocarpum · Myrrhis temula · Myrrhis temulenta · Polgidon temulum
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.