logo Wild Flower Web
Back

Click here to search for a different flower

Search

[?]

Open the Advanced Search

Fool's Parsley

Aethusa cynapium

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Apiales
Family:
Apiaceae (Carrot)
Also in this family:
Alexanders, Bladder-seed, Bur Chervil, Burnet-saxifrage, Cambridge Milk Parsley, Caraway, Common Hogweed, Coriander, Corky-fruited Water Dropwort, Corn Parsley, Cow Parsley, Cowbane, Creeping Marshwort, Cumin, Edible Carrot, False Thorow-wax, Field Eryngo, Fine-leaved Water Dropwort, Fool's Watercress, Garden Angelica, Garden Parsley, Giant Fennel, Giant Hogweed, Great Pignut, Greater Burnet-saxifrage, Greater Water Parsnip, Ground Elder, Hartwort, Hemlock, Hemlock Water Dropwort, Hog's Fennel, Honewort, Knotted Hedge Parsley, Lesser Marshwort, Lesser Water Parsnip, Longleaf, Masterwort, Milk Parsley, Moon Carrot, Parsley Water Dropwort, Pepper-saxifrage, Pignut, Pink Masterwort, River Water Dropwort, Rock Samphire, Rough Chervil, Sanicle, Scots Lovage, Sea Carrot, Sea Holly, Shepherd's Needle, Shrubby Hare's-ear, Siberian Hogweed, Slender Hare's-ear, Small Hare's-ear, Spignel, Spreading Hedge Parsley, Stone Parsley, Sulphurwort, Sweet Cicely, Thorow-wax, Tubular Water Dropwort, Upright Hedge Parsley, Whorled Caraway, Wild Angelica, Wild Carrot, Wild Celery, Wild Fennel, Wild Parsnip
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Annual
Maximum Size:
60 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Fields, hedgerows, meadows, roadsides, wasteland.

Flower:
֍
White, 5 petals
 
Umbels, up to 6cm wide. Usually no bracts. The bearded bracts on the sides of the umbels make this flower easy to identify.
Fruit:
Smooth, globular fruit. The seeds mature in August and September.
Leaves:
Dark green, 2-3 pinnate leaves. Stem are without hairs. Annual. Common everywhere in the UK except for Scotland and north west Ireland.
Other Names:
Ass's Parsley, Dog Parsley, Dog Poison, Dog's Parsley, False Parsley, Folly, Fool's Cicely, Lesser Hemlock, Poison Parsley, Small Hemlock.
Frequency (UK):
Common  

Other Information

Summary

Aethusa cynapium, commonly known as fool's parsley or dog poison, is a species of flowering plant in the Apiaceae family. It is native to Europe and Asia, and is typically found growing in waste ground, meadows, along roadsides and other disturbed areas. The plant is highly toxic, and all parts of the plant contain alkaloids that can cause severe stomach and intestinal problems if consumed. It's also toxic to animals, especially to dogs. It has small white or pinkish flowers that bloom in the summer. The leaves, stems, and seeds are edible but should be avoided due to its toxicity.

Blog

Fool's parsley, also known as Aethusa cynapium, is a plant that belongs to the family Apiaceae. This herbaceous plant is native to Europe, but it has been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia. Fool's parsley is often mistaken for parsley or other similar plants, but it is actually quite different in appearance and can be extremely dangerous if ingested.

Description and Identification

Fool's parsley is a small, annual herb that typically grows to about 60 cm in height. It has a smooth, hairless stem that is branched at the top, with finely divided leaves that are reminiscent of parsley or carrot tops. The plant produces small, white flowers that are arranged in umbrella-shaped clusters, and these are followed by small, oval-shaped fruits that contain a single seed.

One of the key characteristics that distinguishes Fool's parsley from true parsley is the smell of the plant. Fool's parsley has a strong, unpleasant odor that is often described as similar to mouse urine or even dead animals. The leaves of the plant are also more finely divided than parsley leaves and have a shiny, smooth surface.

Toxicity

Fool's parsley is a highly toxic plant, and ingestion of any part of the plant can cause serious harm or even death. The plant contains a number of toxic compounds, including gamma-coniceine, which is similar to the toxin found in poison hemlock. The symptoms of Fool's parsley poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, convulsions, respiratory failure, and even coma.

It's important to note that Fool's parsley is often mistaken for other plants, particularly parsley and wild carrot. While these plants are edible and safe to eat, Fool's parsley is not, and it's essential to be able to distinguish between them.

Uses

While Fool's parsley is highly toxic and not safe for human consumption, it has been used in traditional medicine in small doses. The plant has been used as a diuretic and a stimulant, and it has also been used topically as a treatment for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. However, due to the extreme toxicity of the plant, these uses are not recommended.

Fool's parsley is a dangerous and highly toxic plant that should be avoided at all costs. Despite its resemblance to parsley and other similar plants, it has a distinct odor and finely divided leaves that make it easy to identify. If you come across Fool's parsley in the wild, do not attempt to eat any part of the plant, and be sure to keep children and pets away from it as well. If you suspect that someone has ingested Fool's parsley, seek medical attention immediately.

Additional Information

Fool's parsley is not only dangerous to humans but can also be harmful to livestock and wildlife. Animals that ingest the plant can suffer from symptoms such as tremors, convulsions, and respiratory distress. In some cases, the toxicity of the plant can be fatal.

To prevent accidental ingestion of Fool's parsley, it's essential to be able to identify the plant correctly. Look for the distinctive odor and finely divided leaves, and be sure to compare the plant to known safe plants such as parsley and wild carrot. If you're uncertain about the identification of a plant, it's best to err on the side of caution and avoid it.

In some areas, Fool's parsley is considered a weed and can be challenging to control. However, there are several methods of controlling the plant, including mechanical removal, herbicides, and even grazing by certain livestock. If you're dealing with a Fool's parsley infestation, consult with a local plant expert or agricultural extension office to determine the best control method for your situation.

In addition to being toxic, Fool's parsley has also been associated with folklore and superstition. In some cultures, the plant is believed to have magical properties and was used in spells and charms. The plant's unpleasant odor was thought to repel evil spirits, and it was sometimes hung in homes to ward off bad luck.

In traditional medicine, Fool's parsley has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including colic, epilepsy, and skin conditions. However, due to the plant's toxicity, these uses are not recommended, and it's essential to seek medical advice from a trained professional if you're experiencing any health concerns.

Fool's parsley is not only harmful to humans and animals but can also have negative effects on the environment. In some areas, the plant can outcompete native species and disrupt ecosystems. It's crucial to prevent the spread of the plant by properly disposing of any plant material and avoiding the introduction of the plant into new areas.

In conclusion, Fool's parsley is a toxic plant that can have serious health implications for humans, animals, and the environment. It's essential to be able to identify the plant correctly and avoid accidental ingestion. If you suspect that you or someone else has ingested Fool's parsley, seek medical attention immediately. By working together to raise awareness of the dangers of Fool's parsley, we can help prevent harm to ourselves, our animals, and our environment.

20 Facts about Fool's Parsley

20 facts about Fool's Parsley:

  1. Fool's parsley is a highly toxic plant that belongs to the family Apiaceae.
  2. The plant is native to Europe but has been introduced to other parts of the world.
  3. Fool's parsley is often mistaken for parsley or other similar plants.
  4. The plant has a strong, unpleasant odor that is often described as similar to mouse urine or dead animals.
  5. Fool's parsley contains a number of toxic compounds, including gamma-coniceine.
  6. Ingestion of any part of the plant can cause serious harm or even death.
  7. Symptoms of Fool's parsley poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, convulsions, respiratory failure, and coma.
  8. Fool's parsley is often mistaken for safe plants such as parsley and wild carrot.
  9. The plant has been used in traditional medicine as a diuretic and stimulant, but these uses are not recommended due to the plant's toxicity.
  10. Fool's parsley can be harmful to livestock and wildlife.
  11. Animals that ingest the plant can suffer from symptoms such as tremors, convulsions, and respiratory distress.
  12. Fool's parsley is considered a weed in some areas and can be challenging to control.
  13. Mechanical removal, herbicides, and grazing by certain livestock are some of the methods used to control the plant.
  14. Fool's parsley has been associated with folklore and superstition in some cultures.
  15. In traditional medicine, Fool's parsley has been used to treat colic, epilepsy, and skin conditions.
  16. Fool's parsley can outcompete native species and disrupt ecosystems.
  17. The plant is often found in disturbed areas such as roadsides and waste areas.
  18. Fool's parsley is an annual herb that typically grows to about 60 cm in height.
  19. The plant produces small, white flowers that are arranged in umbrella-shaped clusters.
  20. Fool's parsley is a dangerous and highly toxic plant that should be avoided at all costs.

Fool's parsley is a highly toxic plant that is often mistaken for safe plants such as parsley and wild carrot. The plant has a strong, unpleasant odor and contains a number of toxic compounds that can cause serious harm or even death if ingested. Fool's parsley has been used in traditional medicine, but these uses are not recommended due to the plant's toxicity. The plant can be harmful to livestock and wildlife and can disrupt ecosystems. Mechanical removal, herbicides, and grazing by certain livestock are some of the methods used to control the plant. It's crucial to be able to identify Fool's parsley correctly and avoid accidental ingestion.