Description
A hardy annual growing to 15" (38cm) tall. It is similar to parsley in appearance but it is more delicate and ferny. The stem is slender, hollow, branching, round and finely grooved. It sets out opposite pairs of light green, lacy, fernlike leaves which have a pale pink-purple tinge in late summer. Tiny white flowers appear in cluster in late summer (or late spring from overwinter seedlings). The seeds are 1/4" (6mm) long, dark and narrow, 5 in each case.

Cultivation

Site:	Prefers shady, well drained, light soil.
Propagation:	Sow late summer (seed germinates quickly). For regular supply sow monthly except in winter. If left to self seed it usually produces one early crop and another in late summer.
General Care:	Thin to 6-9" (15-23cm) apart. May need some cloche protection in winter. Can grow indoors if kept shady and humid.
Harvest:	Pick leaves before flowering, once plant is above 4" (10cm) tall.

Preservation: Dry or freeze leaves. Use to flavour vinegar. Much better when fresh.

Other Names: Adder's meat, Bad man's oatmeal, Bun, Cicely, Ciss, Cisweed, Coney parsley, Cow chervil, Cow mumble, Cow parsley, Cow weed, Devils meat, Devils oatmeal, Devils Parsley, Dog parsley, Dogs carvi, Eld-rot, Eltrot, Gypsy curtains, Gypsy flower, Gypsy laces, Ha-ho, Hi-how, Honiton lace, Hare's parsley, Kadledock, Kedlock, Keeshion, Kelk, Kellock, Kesk, Kewsies, Mayweed, Moonlight, My ladies lace, Ladies lace, Ladies needlework, Needlework, Naughty man's oatmeal, Oldrot, Rabbits food, Rabbits meat, Scabby hands, Scab flower, Sheeps parsley, Sweetash, Whitemead, White weed, Wild caraway, Wild Parsley.

Description
As above but only 2-4" tall. It has grass-green coloured, downy leaves. The stem is hairy at the base and smooth above.

Warning: Be careful when identifying this plant as it is similar to some poisonous plants such as hemlock/fool's parsley.