Anthiscus sylvestris - Cow Parsley

In late spring this tall member of the carrot family takes over many of the hedgerows of Wales. Its flowers first appear in April and last through to June. As the cow parsley dies back, many other umbellifers, such as hogweed and wild angelica are just coming into bloom.

Cow parsley can be either biennial or perennial. Its umbrella-shaped flower heads are typically 3 cm to 6 cm across, with larger petals near the outer edge of the florets.

The leaves of this common wildflower are finely divided into many feathery leaflets.