欧芹 ou qin

Apium crispum Miller, Gard. Dict., ed. 8, Apium no. 2. 1768; Petroselinum hortense Hoffmann var. crispum (Miller) L. H. Bailey.

Plant 30–100 cm. Basal leaves long-petiolate, petioles 3–7 cm, narrowly sheathing at base; blade 5–8 × 4–7 cm; ultimate segments narrowly elliptic or ovate, 4–12 × 1.5–9 mm, 3-parted or deeply toothed, teeth obtuse, white-mucronate, adaxially shiny. Leaves reduced upwards, becoming 3-lobed, segments narrower, lanceolate-linear, entire or 3-lobed. Umbels 3–6(–8) cm across; bracts 1–2 or absent, linear, 2–5 mm, apex acute, thinly coriaceous; rays 10–25(–30), 1–2.5(–5) cm, subequal; bracteoles 6–8, linear or subulate, 1.5–2.5 mm, shorter than flowers; umbellules ca. 20-flowered; pedicels 1.5–4.5 mm. Fruit 2–4 × 1.5–3 mm, gray-brown. Fl. and fr. Jun–Jul.

Cultivated in some cities in China [possibly native to the W Mediterranean region].

This species is cultivated in many temperate countries worldwide as a culinary herb (parsley) and is often adventive. It has reputed medicinal value.