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A new invader in Vermont

• Wild Chervil is taking over roadsides, fields, pastures and edges of woodlands in Vermont.
  
• Dark green ferny rosettes first thing in the spring shoot up into branching flowering stalks by mid-May.
  
• By early June millions of seeds are forming.
  
• July through fall, ugly black skeletons remain.
  

It looks like Queen Anne’s Lace BUT:

• Has branching stems.
  
• Has triangular, ferny leaves. Queen Anne’s leaves are more delicate and plume-like.
  
• Blooms earlier – mid-May to mid-June in VT.
  
• Flowerheads are rounded, not flat.
  
• No purple floret at center of bloom.
  
• Taller. Averages 3’, but grows to 7’
  
• Quickly forms dense stands that choke out other vegetation.
  

PREVENT its spread by following the suggestions on the handout : Wild Chervil Control in Vermont

See Plants Which Resemble Wild Chervil at http://www.rherald.com/common/Chervill.html for pictures & descriptions of 10 other plants which look like chervil.

Info provided by Victoria Weber, Bethel Vermont \ 2/2004 \ wdimock@sover.net

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