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Spreading Hedge Parsley, Field Hedge Parsley, Common Hedge Parsley - Torilis arvensis


Family: Apiaceae - Carrot family Genus Common Name: Hedge Parsley Native Status: Introduced
Torilis arvensis - Spreading Hedge Parsley, Field Hedge Parsley, Common Hedge Parsley. Torilis arvensis, which has the USDA national common name of Spreading Hedge Parsley, is also known as Field Hedge Parsley and as Common Hedge Parsley. It is introduced in the United States, native only to British Columbia in North America. Even though it has spread widely in the United States due to the sticky bur seeds, it apparently does not crowd out native species too aggressively, because it is listed as an obnoxious weed in only one state - Washington, which is, of course, right across the border from BC, where it is native. Torilis japonica is a very similar species, and is in fact listed as a synonym of T. arvensis at the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University. However, the USDA lists it as a separate species, as does Dr. John Hilty over at IllinoisWildflowers.info. According to Dr. Hilty, the primary difference between the plants is that T. japonica has about 8 linear bracts at the base of each compound umbel. This feature is missing in T. arvensis.

Check here for more information about Torilis arvensis.
Torilis arvensis

Distribution of Torilis arvensis in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key

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Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2009-June-17Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D60
1/60f/16 ISO200
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
90mm (135 equiv)
The inflorescence of Field Hedge Parsley, Torilis arvensis, is an umbel with 5 to 9 stalked umbellets, each holding a cluster of white flowers.
Torilis arvensis

Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2009-June-17Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
1/60f/16 ISO200
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
90mm (135 equiv)
Pollinator on an umbellet of Field Hedge Parsley.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Torilis arvensis

Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2009-June-17Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
1/125f/16 ISO200
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
90mm (135 equiv)
Frequently found along roadsides and other disturbed areas, Field Hedge Parsely has divided stems terminating in white-flowered umbels. The leaves are alternate, pinnate. The leaflets are toothed. The plant may be to 3 feet tall. The stem is usually covered with minute white hairs.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Torilis arvensis

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Torilis arvensis initially published on USWildflowers.com 2009-12-07; Updated 2015-06-24

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302