Cow Parsley

A common perennial, growing up to about 1.5-metres in height. It is an early spring flowering plant, with noticeable leaf appearance starting in March to early April, and which appears to dominate verges, as well as shadier places such as also being adjacent to hedges and wood perimeters, as well as grasslands. The tiny white flowers, each with 5 petals, are abundant in umbrella shape clusters, called an umbel. The stems are lightly ridged and hairy, and are without any coloured spots, although they have faint purple stripes and a more purplish base. The flowering period is from April to June. Its scientific name is Anthriscus sylvestris.