Fool's Parsley

Aethusa cynapium

Physical Characteristics

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.

Distribution

Most of Europe, including Britain, to the Caucasus and south to Algeria.

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].

Medicinal Uses

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.

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].