Spreading Chervil

Chaerophyllum procumbens 

kee-roh-FIL-um  pro-KUM-benz

Synonyms of Chaerophyllum procumbens (2) (Updated on 11-11-23 from Plants of the World Online): Myrrhis procumbens (L.) Spreng., Scandix procumbens L.
Synonyms of Chaerophyllum procumbens var. procumbens (6) (Updated on 11-9-22 from POWO): Chaerophyllum articulatum Bosc ex DC., Chaerophyllum bifidum Willd. ex DC., Chaerophyllum boscii Steud., Chaerophyllum procumbens var. boscii DC., Chaerophyllum procumbens var. tainturieri J.M.Coult. & Rose, Myrrhis bifida Spreng.
Synonyms of Chaerophyllum procumbens var. shortii Torr. & A.Gray (1) (Updated on 11-9-22 from POWO): Chaerophyllum shortii (Torr. & A.Gray) Bush

Chaerophyllum procumbens (L.) Crantz is the accepted scientific name for the Spreading Chervil. It was named and described as such by Heinrich Johann Nepomuk von Crantz in Classis Umbelliferarum Emendata.. in 1767. It was first named Scandix procumbens by Carl von Linnaeus in 1753. 

Accepted Infraspecific Names (2) (Updated on 11-9-22 from POWO): *Chaerophyllum procumbens var. procumbens (autonym), Chaerophyllum procumbens var. shortii Torr. & A.Gray. *When an infraspecific taxon is named, an autonym (“type-specimen”) is automatically generated whose description is closest to the (original) species. All have their own list of synonyms… 

The genus, Chaerophyllum L., was named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the first volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of 11-11-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 69 species in the genus. It is a member of the plant family Apiaceae with a total of 447 genera. Those numbers could change periodically as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Chaerophyllum procumbens is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND FOR A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

Just about any wooded area on the farm has an ample supply of this wildflower. The Chaerophyllum procumbens, also known as Spreading Wild Chervil, is an annual that can either come up in the spring or winter depending on your climate and temperature. It also shares the common name, Wild Chervil, with its cousin Chaerophyllum tainturieri. The two species are virtually indistinguishable from one another until they produce fruit and seeds (see last photo).

Several other members in the family have very similar leaves and this species is not the chervil used in cooking. I believe that is Anthriscus cerefolium commonly known as Garden Chervil or French Parsley. They look very similar but are not native to the U.S. and are not found in Missouri in the wild. There are reports of a couple Anthriscus species naturalizing in some states. They can be distinguished from the Spreading Chervil because they lack bractlets under the umbels.

The upper portions of the stems terminate with compound umbels with groups of umbellets. Each umbellet consists of 2-7 flowers with five white petals and 5 stamens. Flowering occurs from the spring into early summer.

The leaves grow alternately along the stem and grow to 4″ long x 2″ wide or thereabouts. Leaves are smooth to slightly hairy (glabrous to slightly pubescent). Leaves are said to be double-pinnate, pinnately divided, and triangular-lanceolate.

Pinnatifid leaflets are shallowly to deeply divided. GEEZ! Anyway, they are kind of soft and ferny looking. You can see the fuzz on the leaves in the above close-up.

Plants are erect to somewhat sprawly. Stems are light green or purplish green and are multi-branching. Hairs grow from the stems in lines where branching occurs. Lower leaves have long petioles (stems) while the upper leaves have shorter petioles and are nearly sessile (no petioles). There is supposedly a sheath that wraps around the base of the petiole.

I was able to get a photo of the fruit which revealed this species is definitely Chaerophyllum procumbens. The fruit is straight and linear while a similar species, C. tainturieri, are flared toward the tip.

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the farm and in other areas. The farm I live on is in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
MISSOURI PLANTS
MSU-MIDWEST WEEDS AND WILDFLOWERS
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
DAVE’S GARDEN
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
NEW YORK NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
KANSAS NATIVE PLANTS

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is the most reliable and up-to-date plant database and they make updates on a regular basis. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂