Chervil    

Anthriscus. (From Greek anththriskos, chervil.) Umbelliferae. Some 12 species of annual, biennial and perennial herbs. Leaves 2-3-pinnate to ternate. Umbels compound; involucre of few bracts or absent; involucel of entire bracteoles, commonly reflexed; sepals minute or absent; flowers small, white. Fruit narrow-oblong or ovoid, with ridged beak; vittae solitary. Europe, N Africa, Asia. Z7.

Cultivation   

Anthriscus sylvestris, cow parsely, is one of the earliest of the wild umbellifers to flower in spring; found naturally in rough grassland habitats, it is sometimes grown in flower meadows and wild gardens although it must be used with descretion since it maty be invasive, for good or ill. Anthriscus cereifolium, found naturalised in hedgerow and grassy habitats, is cultivated in the herb garden for its sweetly aromatic, finely divided foliage. The delicate and subtle anise flavour of chervil is volatile and best appreciated when used fresh; in cooking, it should be added at a late stage. Chervil is amenable to cultivation in pots or window boxes and may be grown indoors for winter use, although it is hardy to about -10ºC.

Grow in a well-drained but moisture-retentive fertile soil in light dappled shade, with shelter from strong wind. (These conditions may be provided by interplanting with taller herbs or vegetables.) Chervil does not thrive in regions with hot dry summers. Make shallow sowings of seed in situ from early spring, as soon as the soil is workable, until late summer. Mid-summer sowings in particular should be irrigated in dry weather; dryness may lead to bolting. Seed may take 2-3 weeks to germinate and leaves are ready to cut 6-8 weeks after sowing. Continual cutting of the outer leaves provides fresh growth but chervil will self-seed if allowed to flower. Grow winter supplies in the cold glasshouse, or outdoors with cloche protection; overwintering crops should be given a position in full sun.

Low temperatures are needed to preserve flavour on drying, not greater than 38ºC, and dried leaves should be stored in an airtight container in the dark. Chervil dries to around one tenth of its fresh volume and freezing may be a more satisfactory means of storage.

Anthriscus cereifolium   

CHERVIL. Annual to 60cm; stems furrowed, sparsely hairy at nodes. Leaves 2-3 pinnate, bright green, finely divided, segments to 1cm, ovate, dentate or pinnatifid, sparsely hairy below. Umbels radiate, axillary or opposite leaves, sessile; rays 2-6, pubescent; involucre absent; involucel of linear bracteoles; flowers white. Fruit nearly linear, 7-10mm, with prominent, slender beak to 4mm. Europe, W Asia.

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