Photographs: Co. Cork

Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris Peirsil bhó Family: Apiaceae Flowering time: April-June. Perennial. Native. Long-stalked umbels of white flowers with 8-12 rays. Smooth shiny fruit. No bracts but broad, often pinkish bracteoles. The fern-like leaves are 3-pinnate with pointed segments, they appear from September and over-winter. Erect stems are hollow, grooved, unspotted. Height 70-120 cm Can be abundant on roadsides, hedgebanks and at wood edges. Similar: Fools Parsley, Aethusa cynapium. Smaller, flowers July-August. Hemlock, Conium maculatum. Purple-spotted stems, unpleasant smell

Cow Parsley, Anthriscus sylvestris, Pheirsil bhó