Anthriscus (chervils) is a common flowering plant genus of the family Apiaceae, which includes 14 species native to Europe, temperate Asia, northwest Africa, and the tropical African mountains.[1] The genus grows in meadows and verges on slightly wet porous soils. One species, Anthriscus cerefolium is cultivated and used in the kitchen to flavor foods.

Anthriscus
Garden chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Subfamily: Apioideae
Tribe: Scandiceae
Subtribe: Scandicinae
Genus: Anthriscus
Pers.
Species[1]

14; see text

Synonyms[1]
  • Antriscus Raf.
  • Centhriscus Spreng. ex Steud.
  • Cerefolium Fabr.
  • Chaerefolium Haller
  • Myrrhodes Möhring ex Kuntze
  • Oreochorte Koso-Pol.

Anthriscus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the mouse moth (recorded on cow parsley).

The hollow stem is erect and branched, ending in compound umbels of small white or greenish flowers. The leaves are bipinnate or tripinnate.

Garden Chervil
from Thomé Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885

Species

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14 species are accepted.[1]

Etymology

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The name is from the Latin Anthriscus and Greek anthriskos, names for chervil, and may be connected to the Greek athēr, the "beard" of grain.[2]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 "Anthriscus Pers". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  2. "Anthriscus". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
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