Fool’s-parsley (Aethusa cynapium, Sp. Pl.: 256 (1753))

Family: Apiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 256 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Aethusa

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to NE. Türkiye and Caucasus

Description

Fool’s-parsley, scientifically known as Aethusa cynapium, is an intriguing plant that holds a notable place in the flora of Europe, Northeast Türkiye, and the Caucasus. This annual herb belongs to the Apiaceae family, which also includes familiar plants like carrots and parsley. However, unlike its harmless relatives, Fool’s-parsley is often considered a toxic look-alike of edible garden herbs.

Described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, Fool’s-parsley has been the subject of botanical literature for centuries, identified in Linnaeus’ seminal work “Species Plantarum.” Its appearance is deceptively similar to parsley, with finely divided leaves and umbrella-shaped clusters of small white flowers, making it an easy plant to mistake for culinary varieties.

Fool’s-parsley thrives in a range of environments, from fertile, cultivated fields to wild, untamed landscapes across Europe and extending into Northeast Türkiye and the Caucasus. This widespread distribution is a testament to its adaptability and resilience in various climates and soil conditions.

Despite its delicate appearance, Fool’s-parsley is a plant to be treated with caution. All parts of the plant contain toxic compounds that can cause harmful effects if ingested. Historically, it has been one of the many plants mistaken for edible herbs, leading, in some cases, to poisoning. This has earned it a place in the annals of toxicology, as well as botany.

In terms of morphology, Fool’s-parsley can reach heights of up to 50 centimeters. Its leaves are reminiscent of true parsley, but a key distinguishing feature is the absence of a distinctive odor when the leaves are crushed. The small white flowers bloom from late spring to early autumn, arranged in characteristic umbels that are typical of the Apiaceae family.

Fool’s-parsley plays an interesting role in the ecosystem. While it may interfere with agricultural crops as a weed, it also serves as a host plant for various insects. Its presence in the wild contributes to the biodiversity of the areas it inhabits.

In conclusion, Aethusa cynapium is a plant with a dual identity, embodying the beauty of nature while harboring toxic properties. Its history, widespread presence, and the caution it demands from those who encounter it underline the complex interplay between plants and their environments. Whether admired for its botanical traits or respected for its potential dangers, Fool’s-parsley remains a significant species within the Apiaceae family.

Common Names

Dan: ager-tidsel, cikorie, hunde-tidsel, hundepersille, kæmpe-turt
Swe: bantistel, cikoria, parksallat, hukanputki, vildpersilja, åkertistel
Eng: fool’s parsley, fool’s-parsley, fools parsley
Deu: hundspetersilie
Nor: kjempeturt, sikori, hunde-persille, vill persille, åkertistel
Fin: pelto-ohdake, sikuri, tarhasinivalvatti, hukanputki
Fra: ethuse, petite ciguë
Nld: hondspeterselie
Nob: hundepersille
Nno: hundepersille
Ces: tetlucha kozí pysk
Isl: þistill
Sme: šilljopersilja
Cym: gauberllys, geuberllys, goegberllys, llyfn-ddail, persli gwyllt, persli’r ffwl
En: Fool’s-parsley, Fool’s parsley, Fools parsley
Ar: محرقة الكلاب
Eu: Astaperrexil txiki
Be: Какорыш звычайны
Bg: Див магданоз
Ca: Etusa
Kw: Kegis persilik
Hr: Divlji peršin
Cs: Tetlucha kozí pysk
Da: Hundepersille, Ager-Tidsel, Cikorie, Hunde-Tidsel, Kæmpe-Turt
Nl: Hondspeterselie
Et: Koeraputk
Fi: Hukanputki, Pelto-ohdake, Sikuri, Tarhasinivalvatti
Fr: Ethuse, Petite ciguë, Ciguë des jardins, Ache des chiens, Éthuse ciguë, Éthuse petite Ciguë, Faux Persil, Persil des chiens, Petite cigüe
Ka: Ძაღლის ქინძი
De: Hundspetersilie, Gemeine Hundspetersilie
El: Αίθουσα η κυνάπιος
Hu: Mérges ádáz
Is: Villisteinselja, Þistill
Ga: Peirsil amaide
It: Cicuta aglina
Lt: Nuodingoji šunpetrė
Se: Šilljopersilja
No: Hundepersille, Kjempeturt, Sikori, Hunde-persille, Vill persille, Åkertistel
Nb: Hundepersille
Nn: Hundepersille
Fa: جعفری زهری
Pl: Blekot pospolity
Pt-br: Salsa-de-cachorro
Ru: Кокорыш
Sk: Tetucha kozia
Es: Perejil de perro
Sv: Vildpersilja, Bantistel, Cikoria, Parksallat, Hukanputki, Åkertistel
Uk: Собача петрушка
Cy: Geuberllys, Gauberllys, Goegberllys, Llyfn-Ddail, Persli Gwyllt, Persli’r Ffwl

Synonyms

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iran (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Sep 1, 2021 by sjaak blok (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Jean Maurice Bauné (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2022 by Romain Grimaldi d’Esdra (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 8, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2020 by Aurélien F. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2014 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2018 by Heinz Gass (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Pierre LESPINASSE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by etienne franqueville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 15, 2022 by Door Smu (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2022 by Ya Eric (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 5, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2019 by Martine (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2020 by Konrad Preis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2020 by Aurélien F. (cc-by-sa)

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

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

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5371825)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:837341-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Aethusa cynapium L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]

Soil nutriments: 7