White chervil (Cryptotaenia canadensis, Coll. Mém. 5: 42 (1829))

Family: Apiaceae

Author: (L.) DC.

Bibliography: Coll. Mém. 5: 42 (1829)

Year: 1829

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cryptotaenia

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: E. Canada to C. & E. U.S.A.

Description

White chervil, scientifically known as Cryptotaenia canadensis, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family. This plant holds a notable presence across different regions, spanning from Eastern Canada to central and eastern parts of the United States.

Characterized by its delicate and fern-like foliage, white chervil typically thrives in shaded environments, often found in rich, moist woodland settings. The plant’s stems are slender and erect, giving rise to a lush green canopy of leaves that add a graceful aesthetic to its natural habitat.

White chervil is especially appreciated for its culinary and medicinal applications. The leaves, when finely chopped, provide a mild and aromatic flavor to various dishes, making it a favored ingredient among chefs and home cooks alike. Besides its culinary uses, some traditional practices endorse the plant for its potential health benefits, although scientific verification of these claims is necessary.

Flowering from late spring to early summer, Cryptotaenia canadensis produces small, unobtrusive white flowers. These blooms, grouped in modest umbels, are subtle yet contribute to the overall allure of the plant’s delicate appearance. The seeds that follow are elongated and carried away easily by wind or water, aiding in the plant’s propagation.

Historically documented in 1829 with the designation “(L.) DC.” in the Coll. Mém., white chervil’s botanical records emphasize its long-standing recognition and study among botanists and plant enthusiasts.

In essence, Cryptotaenia canadensis, or white chervil, is a multifaceted plant revered for its subtle beauty, utility in the kitchen, and potential therapeutic properties, making it a valuable addition to both natural and cultivated landscapes.

Common Names

Eng: canadian honewort, canadian-honewort, honewort, white chervil, wild chervil, canada honewort, japanese parsley
Por: criptotenia
Swe: kanadapersilja
Fra: cryptoténie du canada
En: White chervil, Wild chervil, Honewort, Canadian honewort, Canadian-honewort, Canada honewort, Japanese parsley
Fi: Kanadanyrttiputki
Fr: Cryptoténie du Canada
Pt: Criptotenia
Sv: Kanadapersilja

Synonyms

• Myrrhis canadensis (Gaertn.)
• Myrrhis ternata (Moench)
• Scandix ternata (Moench)
• Mesodiscus prolifer (Raf.)
• Mesodiscus simplex (Raf.)
• Deringa canadensis ((L.) Kuntze)
• Cyrtospermum trifoliatum (Raf. ex DC.)
• Sison canadense (L.)
• Conopodium canadense ((L.) Kouh)
• Chaerophyllum canadense ((L.) Pers.)
• Cicuta perennans (Walter)
• Sium canadense (Lam.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Peru (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 1, 2020 by Ana K (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2022 by Philip Enteles (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2022 by Nicoló Evangelista (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2022 by Nathalie Banzet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2021 by Matt Armstrong (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 14, 2014 by EOL − Dylan (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 14, 2014 by EOL − Dylan (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 22, 2022 by Rachel Brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 18, 2019 by boykin anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Betty Berryman (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 3, 2019 by krzwaz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2022 by Stefan Brandt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2013 by EOL − Daniel Carter (cc-by-nc)

Habit

Taken Jul 16, 2013 by EOL − Jennifer Clevinger (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 13, 2015 by EOL − jpalus (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 15, 2003 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 15, 2003 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2002 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 13, 2015 by EOL − Christopher Tracey (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 15, 2003 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3034433)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:840843-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cryptotaenia canadensis (L.) DC.)

Specifications

Growth