Native Plant Alternatives to Anthriscus sylvestris (Cow Parsley)

Anthriscus sylvestris, commonly known as cow parsley or wild chervil, is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family that is native to Europe and western Asia. It is a herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial plant that grows in sunny to semi-shaded locations in meadows and at the edges of hedgerows and woodland.

It can become weedy or invasive in some areas outside of its native range, particularly in North America. In these locations, Anthriscus sylvestris can spread readily and may outcompete native plants for resources.

Cow Parsley is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.