This plant is easily dismissed as a late flowering Anthriscus sylvestris (Cow Parsley) because the height and leaf shape are superficially quite similar. The stem though, is distinctly rough to the touch and its flowering season begins as Anthriscus is nearly finishing. Fruits are what are used to distinguish many umbellifers but often, as in this case, the plant is too young so other features must be used.

The name has been changed fairly recently and it is one of those annoying seemingly unnecessary ones. Rough Chervil was for many years known as Chaerophyllum temulentum.

This plant is found all over England and Wales but is scarcer in the west and north west of Scotland. It is uncommon in Ireland.

Coed Cilygroeslwyd 30th May 2005

Added on October 16th 2005, updated 28th November 2008, updated 12th March 2010