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Aethusa cynapium - L.

Common Name Fool's Parsley
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The entire plant is poisonous though less so than Conium maculatum (q.v.)[4, 10, 19]. Small amounts can cause pain, confusion of vision and vomiting[268]. The dried plant might be safe to eat[10].
Habitats Grows in waste places and is also a common weed of cultivated ground but rarer in the north of Britain[9, 17].
Range Most of Europe, including Britain, to the Caucasus and south to Algeria.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Aethusa cynapium Fool


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Aethusa cynapium Fool
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Kenraiz

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Aethusa cynapium is a ANNUAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[105]. It is very inadvisable to eat this plant, see the notes above on toxicity[177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anticonvulsant  Antidiarrhoeal  Sedative  Stomachic

Although fairly toxic, fool's parsley has occasionally been used in folk medicine[268]. The herb is sedative and stomachic. It has been used in the treatment of gastro-intestinal problems, especially in children, and also to treat convulsions and summer diarrhoea[4, 61, 268]. Extreme caution in the use of this herb is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have no details for this species, see its native habitat above for ideas on its cultivation needs. All parts of the plant have an unpleasant smell reminiscent of hemlock (Conium maculatum)[245].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - we have no details on this species but suggest sowing the seed in situ as soon as it is ripe or in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

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Subject : Aethusa cynapium  
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