Habitat
Type: shady places
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Other: invasive, patch forming

General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: perennial
Height: up to 60cm
Other: hairless

Leaf
Arrangement: group of 1-3 at end of leaf stalks
Edge: toothed

Flower
Petals/sepals: usually no bracts
Arrangement: umbels
When: May to August
Colour:

May be mistaken for the highly toxic Hemlock Water Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata).

Member of the carrot family. There are a number of deadly poisonous plants in this family, with great superficial resemblance to edible plants. It is therefore advisable to be very careful when identifying plants in this family, and only consume them if you are completely sure of correct identification.

See special note on the Umbelliferae family.

April to August - best June to August

Flavour
Rating and Description:
tangy

How to Consume
young: raw; leaf curd

Special preparation
young: with stem; old: leaves only

Used as ...
food

Action:
anti-rheumatic, diuretic, sedative, vulnerary

May treat:
painful joints, gout, rheumatism, arthritis, disorders of the urinary system and gastric tract, burns, stings, wounds

Collection
for maximum size, when in flower, late spring to mid summer

Drying
dry to store

Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed

Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use

Other:
caution

General Glossary

• bract: leaf or scale below calyx
• calyx: collection of individual or, usually, joined sepals
• sepal: protect bud before flower opens, forms leaf-like ring at base of flower, usually green
• umbel: flower cluster with stalks joined in centre to form flat or curved surface; umbrella-like

Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances

• anti-rheumatic: treats rheumatism
• diuretic: increases secretion and elimination of urine
• sedative: calms the nervous system and reduces stress
• vulnerary: promotes healing of wounds (applied externally)