PlantFiles: Wild Chervil
Anthriscus sylvestris

Thanks for the commentary (above). I'd tried to germinate Anthriscus sylvestris 'Raven' because I saw it in the UK and thought it a gorgeous plant. I'll stop hoping the seeds germinate now.

This is an invasive plant, noxious weed, which should never be planted in the US! There are very limited options for getting rid of the plant once it is established, even when using chemical controls. Also, the sap causes photosensitivity, and in large doses has been resopnsible for serious burns (i.e. weed-whacking in shorts). Bad, bad, bad plant, with serious economic impacts on crop production in my area of Central VT, including forages, pasture, fruits and berries. Shades out native vegetation, propogates vegetatively and by seed, causes spoilage in hay crops, etc., etc. I can't say enough BAD things about this plant!!

A noxious weed to be sure, Wild Chervil is taking over my home town of St. John's, Newfoundland. Overall, it is a rare European exotic in North America, but it is way to common at home. They prefer damp waste places, streamsides and shorelines. All of our streams and lakes around St. John's are being choked by this plant and we have no natural predators.