Aethusa Cynapium

Scientific Name: Aethusa cynapium L.
Family: Apiaceae

MORPHOLOGY
Habit and Size: An annual herbaceous plant, slender, ranging from 50 to 200 cm in height, with a strong fetid odor.
Stem: Erect, hollow stem, often with dark patches, and branching towards the top.
Leaves: Triangular in outline, divided into 2-3 pinnate segments.
Flowers: Compound umbels with 10-20 rays, mostly surpassing and opposite to the axillary leaf; no involucre; involucel typically consisting of three pendulous bracts facing outwards; hermaphrodite flowers; white petals, the outer one slightly larger. It flowers from May to October.
Fruits and Seeds: The fruit is an ovoid mericarp, glabrous, with deep ridges.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
Widespread throughout Italy except for the major islands and from Campania and Puglia downwards. Found in fields, among ruins, in shady gullies; from sea level up to 1,500 m.
INTERESTING FACTS
The plant is highly toxic in all its parts, and when chewed, it strongly irritates the mucous membranes and the palate, causing a burning sensation. This species could be confused with parsley, but the fetid and nauseating odor of its leaves and stem (once chopped) should raise alarm.
Photo: Freely licensed by Saxifraga and Ed Stikvoort, Peter Meininger.