Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium, Gen. Pl. Umbell.: 41 (1814))

Family: Apiaceae

Author: (L.) Hoffm.

Bibliography: Gen. Pl. Umbell.: 41 (1814)

Year: 1814

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Anthriscus

Vegetable: False

Observations: EC. Europe to NW. & N. Iran

Description

Chervil, known scientifically as Anthriscus cerefolium, is a delicate annual herb that holds a revered place within the Apiaceae family. This herb is characterized by its finely divided, fern-like leaves which resemble those of its close relatives, parsley and carrot.

Historically noted in the early 19th century botanical literature “Gen. Pl. Umbell.” (1814), Chervil was classified by (L.) Hoffm., a testament to its long-standing recognition and usage in culinary and medicinal contexts. The plant can be identified by its height, which typically ranges from 12 to 24 inches, and its small, white, umbel-shaped flowers that bloom in the spring and early summer.

Chervil hails originally from Eastern and Central Europe, extending its native range to Northwestern and Northern Iran. This geographical span indicates the plant’s adaptability to various climates and soil conditions. It prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil to thrive, often being one of the first herbs to make an appearance in the garden each spring.

In the kitchen, Chervil is highly valued for its subtle, anise-like flavor which can enhance a variety of dishes. Its leaves are used fresh in salads, soups, omelets, and sauces, often paired with chives, parsley, and tarragon—forming the classic Fines Herbes combination in French cuisine. Due to its delicate aroma, Chervil is usually added at the end of cooking to maintain its fragrance.

Beyond its culinary uses, Chervil has been traditionally employed for its purported medicinal benefits. It is believed to aid in digestion, act as a mild diuretic, and even soothe skin ailments when applied as a poultice.

Cultivating Chervil is relatively straightforward; it can be sown directly into the soil in early spring or late summer to avoid the heat of mid-summer. The plant needs regular watering and benefits from organic compost to support its growth.

Chervil’s delicate beauty, ease of cultivation, and versatile applications make it a beloved herb among gardeners and chefs alike. Its historical roots and persistent presence in modern horticulture underscore its lasting significance in both culinary and botanical realms.

Common Names

Nor: brakkhaukeskjegg, fransk haukeskjegg, hestehamp, veghaukeskjegg
Fra: cerfeuil commun, cerfeuil cultivé, cerfeuil des jardins, cerfeuil
Eng: chervil, garden chervil, common chervil
Lit: daržinis builis
Dan: fransk høgeskæg, grøn høgeskæg, have-kørvel, kanadisk bakkestjerne, toårig høgeskæg
Deu: garten-kerbel, kerbel
Swe: grönfibbla, kanadabinka, kotula, skånefibbla, vallfibbla, dansk körvel, maustekirveli, körvel, trädgårdskörvel
Fin: hoikkakeltto, kanadankoiransilmä, piennarkeltto, ranskankeltto, maustekirveli
Est: aed-harakputik
Ara: bagdumis afrangi
Spa: cerafolio, perifollo
Por: cerefólio
Ita: cerfoglio
Lav: d
Nob: hagekjørvel
Nno: hagekjørvel
Ces: kerblík třebule štětinoplodý
Nld: echte kervel
Sme: gárdegearvil
Cym: gorthyfail y gerddi
En: Chervil, Garden chervil, Cow parsley, Cerfille, Common chervil, French Parsley
Ar: Bagdumis afrangi, سرفيل بستاني, مقدونس آفرنجي, Maqdunis afranji, Maqdunis franji, مقدونس فرنجي, مَقْدُونِسٌ إفْرَنْجِي, مَقْدُونِسٌ فْرَنْج
Hy: Կերբելուկ մոմատերև
Eu: Apoperrexil
Be: Маркоўнік цмяналісты
Br: Serfilh
Bg: Див керевиз
Ca: Cerfull, Cerfull ver
Zh: 法國芫荽
Kw: Serfel
Co: Pedi puddinu
Hr: Krasuljica
Cs: Kerblík třebule, Kerblík třebule štětinoplodý
Da: Have-Kørvel, Fransk Høgeskæg, Grøn Høgeskæg, Kanadisk Bakkestjerne, Toårig Høgeskæg
Nl: Echte kervel
Eo: Cerefolio
Et: Aed-harakputk, Aed-harakputik
Fi: Maustekirveli, Hoikkakeltto, Kanadankoiransilmä, Piennarkeltto, Ranskankeltto
Fr: Cerfeuil, Cerfeuil cultivé, “Cerfeuil cultivé, Cerfeuil commun”, Cerfeuil commun, Cerfeuil des jardins
Gl: Cerefolio
Ka: Ჭყიმამხალი
De: Kerbel, Garten-Kerbel, Gartenkerbel, Kerbelkraut, Französische Petersilie
El: Μυρώνι
He: תמכה
Hi: चेवील
Hu: Zamatos turbolya
Is: Kerfill
Io: Cerfolio
Ga: Costóg
It: Cerfoglio, Cerfoglio comune
Ko: 처빌
Lv: D
Lt: Daržinis builis
Lb: Kierwel
Mk: Крбулица
Ms: Cervil
Se: Gárdegearvil
No: Hagekjørvel, Brakkhaukeskjegg, Fransk haukeskjegg, Hestehamp, Veghaukeskjegg
Nb: Hagekjørvel
Nn: Hagekjørvel
Oc: Cerfuèlh
Os: Гæнгæлы
Fa: جعفری فرنگی
Pl: Trybula ogrodowa
Pt: Cerefólio, Cerefolho
Ro: Hasmațuchi
Ru: Кервель ажурный
Sr: Krbuljica
Sk: Trebuľka voňavá
Es: Perifollo, Cerafolio, Prava krebuljica, Cerefoleo
Sv: Dansk körvel, Grönfibbla, Kanadabinka, Kotula, Skånefibbla, Vallfibbla, Maustekirveli, Körvel, Trädgårdskörvel
Ta: தோட்டப் பூண்டு
Th: เชอร์วิล
Tr: Frenk maydanozu
Uk: Кервель
Cy: Gorthyfail y gerddi

Synonyms

• Anthriscus cerefolium var. trichosperma (Wimm. & Grab.)
• Anthriscus cerefolium var. trichocarpa (Neilr.)
• Anthriscus cerefolium var. vulgare (Alef.)
• Anthriscus cerefolium var. crispum (Alef.)
• Selinum cerefolium ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Anthriscus longirostris (Bertol.)
• Anthriscus chaerophyllus (St.-Lag.)
• Cerefolium sativum (Besser)
• Chaerophyllum cerefolium ((L.) Crantz)
• Anthriscus cerefolium subsp. trichosperma ((Wimm. & Grab.) Nyman)
• Anthriscus trachysperma (Rchb. ex Nyman)
• Chaerefolium cerefolium subsp. trichospermum ((Wimm. & Grab.) Schinz & Thell.)
• Anthriscus sativa (Besser)
• Myrrhodes cerefolium ((L.) Kuntze)
• Scandix cerefolium (L.)
• Scandix tenuifolia (Salisb.)
• Cerefolium cerefolium ((L.) Britton)
• Cerefolium trichospermum (Besser)
• Anthriscus vulgaris var. trichosperma (Roth)
• Chaerefolium trichospermum ((Schinz & Thell.) Stankov)
• Chaerefolium cerefolium ((L.) Schinz)
• Anthriscus cerefolium var. longirostris ((Bertol.) Cannon)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Krym (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greenland (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kirgizstan (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South European Russi (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Sep 12, 2022 by Louis Dok (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Yami Hime (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 6, 2021 by Jardin Des Cocagnous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 22, 2022 by paul clement (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 25, 2021 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2021 by bismilla (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 7, 2020 by helena Marino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2022 by Ema Janosevic (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2020 by Aline (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by alderash (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2021 by Róbert Rónaszéki (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Dec 28, 2020 by Liz Villalta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2022 by katarzyna polcyn (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2021 by waness (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2022 by katarzyna polcyn (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 2, 2020 by nimye (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2021 by Camille Maravat (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2022 by Zsömbör Károly (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Petr Filippov (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5371746)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:837913-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Anthriscus cerefolium (L.) Hoffm.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth

Sowing: Direct seed outdoors

Row spacing: {‘cm’: 15}

Spread: {‘cm’: 25}

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 8