Petroselinum crispum
Parsley, Parsley
(c) Vítor Jorge, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Vítor Jorge · licence
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Petroselinum crispum (Parsley) is a non-native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by Garden escape, European culinary herb.
Parsley is a naturalized biennial herb found in the northern Sierra Nevada Foothills, Central Coast, and North Coast Ranges in disturbed areas at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small white to pale green flowers in delicate umbrella-like clusters. Growing with erect stems 30 to 130 centimeters tall, it develops a robust branching structure with finely divided foliage. Its leaves are complex, with basal leaves featuring triangular blades 3 to 10 centimeters long that are intricately divided into two to three pinnate layers, with lower leaflets 2 to 5 centimeters long and irregularly toothed or lobed. The fruit is small, approximately 2 to 4 millimeters long and slightly ovate in shape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Garden escape, European culinary herb
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 1000 m
Outside California: native to Europe
Bloom period
Petroselinum crispum blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Apium: Petroselinum has upper leaves more divided than basal; Apium leaf division stays consistent.; vs Conium: Petroselinum stems are solid green; Conium has purple spots on stems.; vs Pelargonium: Petroselinum has compound umbel flowers; Pelargonium has rounded flower clusters.; vs Coriandrum: Petroselinum fruits have straight thread-like ribs; Coriandrum fruits are round and beaded.; vs Geranium: Petroselinum has tiny white umbel flowers; Geranium has large 5-petaled flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Petroselinum crispum native to California?
No. Petroselinum crispum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Petroselinum crispum bloom?
Petroselinum crispum blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Petroselinum crispum belong to?
Petroselinum crispum is in the Apiaceae family, genus Petroselinum.
What habitat does Petroselinum crispum grow in?
Petroselinum crispum grows in Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.