This plant is similar at first glance to Anthriscus sylvestris (Cow Parsley) and can grow to nearly 1 metre although most plants appear to be more like 40 to 50 cm. The individual white florets are only half the diameter of A. sylvestris though, being only about 2mm across. Underneath the umbel of florets there are simple bracts not present in A. sylvestris.

It has the upright, spaced out oval fruits showing even when the flowers are still present. The burs are upright oval seed pods with hooked bristles visible under a magnifying lens.

It is scattered throughout England with its main presence in East Anglia and only sparse populations in Northern England, Scotland and Ireland.

Great Orme 27th May 2006

Added on 28th May 2006, updated 12th July 2008, updated Feb 27th 2010, updated 9th Oct 2014