Stems of anthriscus caucalis are hairless, which is one distinguishing factor from the very common anthriscus sylvestris; it is also a much smaller plant.
Common name:
Burr chervil
Family:
Scientific name:
Anthriscus caucalis
Main flower color:
Range:
Lowland regions of England and Wales, especially coastal; also coastal Scotland and Ireland
Height:
Up to 50 cm
Habitat:
Sandy places, waste ground, hedgebanks
Flowers:
Small, white, five-petalled, greenish at the centre. Stamens have white filaments and light brown anthers. Flowers are in small, bractless umbels, up to 4 cm across
Fruit:
Egg-shaped capsules, about 3 mm long, with a covering of hooked bristles
Leaves:
Fern-like; finely divided into small leaflets (around 5 mm long), with bristly white hairs on the undersurfaces
Season:
May to June
Rarity:
★★★★★
