Wild Chervil

Wild chervil is biennial, or short-lived perennial plant in the parsley family. It was introduced to North America from Europe and is considered invasive in Canada and the United States. This is a relatively new invader to the City that was introduced approximately 4 years ago.

Wild chervil grows under a variety of conditions but prefers moderately-disturbed moist and rich soils. It is found exclusively in open habitats and is not found under forest canopy. In Richmond it is often found along roadsides, rail corridors, ditches and fence lines. Wild chervil spreads rapidly both by seed and plant fragments. Local expansion of existing populations is largely due to vegetative growth from the root buds.

Description and Identification
Wild chervil can grow up to 1.8m tall and has white flowers in umbrella-like clusters. It has fern-like leaves, triangular in shape, that are finely divided, and smooth to softly hairy.

Impacts on the Environment
Wild chervil can impact agricultural areas by reducing foraging plants used for grazing. It can take over open habitats very quickly and displace native plants, decreasing local biodiversity. 

Removal and Control
Tillage works to control wild chervil by bringing the taproots to the surface where they dry out and no longer sprout. Digging can be effective for small populations, although care must be taken to remove most of the taproot to prevent re-sprouting the following year. Mowing during optimal times is also an option to limit seed spread and possibly exhaust the roots.

City Efforts
The City is currently conducting mowing trials to determine the effects on infestations.

For More Information:
Phone: Invasive Plant Phone Line 604-276-4316
Email: invasiveplants@richmond.ca