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Common Name: Meadow Parsley

General Information

Oenanthe pimpinelloides is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

Many species in this genus are very poisonous, one report has been found so far saying that this species is also poisonous[]. It is said to contain the alleged 'psychotroph' myristicine[].

Botanical References

Range

Europe, including Britain, from Belgium south and east to Spain and W. Asia

Habitat

Meadows and damp grassy places[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a moist or wet fertile soil in a sunny position.
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[].

Edible Uses

Root[, ]. Starchy with a flavour somewhat like filberts, is much esteemed in some areas[, ]. Some caution is advised since many members of this genus are very poisonous, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.