Anthriscus sylvestris 'Cow Parsley'

[Ex. Co. Durham, England]

Apiaceae: biennial growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in), a common and familiar plant of road verges with a distinctive odour, tall umbellifer with hollow stems which often become purple with age and fresh green, sharply-cut pinnate leaves, the flowers are white and form open, lacy umbels from April to June, followed by smooth dark seeds. Native to most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to North Africa and Siberia.

USES:

The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked as a potherb, or used as a flavouring, but they are not the best tasting of the wild flowers.

Medicinally used as a tonic for general weakness. Recent studies have shown that the plant contains chemical compounds which have been reported to have anti-proliferative, anti-tumor, and anti- viral activities against human cancer cells. The root has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to treat fractures, contusions, strains, cough, bronchitis and asthma due to lung weakness.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Seed dormancy is broken by a period of chilling and therefore sowing must occur in late summer or autumn.

HARVESTED: 2019

APPROX. 100+ SEEDS