Parsley, Petroselinum crispum, is the bright green Mediterranean herb used fresh in salads, sauces and as a garnish, in curly and flat-leaf forms. It is the main herb of tabbouleh and chimichurri. In India it grows as a winter herb and in the hills. As a herb it is safe, while parsley seed oil and very large amounts of parsley are not.
- Botanical name
- Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Tamil
- Parsley
- Hindi
- Parsley
- Parts used
- Leaf
- Habit
- Parsley; curly and flat-leaf are one species
- Last updated
- 2026-10-30
How to recognise Parsley
It is a biennial with finely divided, bright green leaves, either tightly curled or flat and celery-like.
In its second year it sends up a stalk with small yellow-green flowers in umbels.
The seeds are small and ribbed.
Coriander, Coriandrum sativum, has rounder lower leaves and a different, sharper smell.
Hamburg parsley is a form grown for its thick, parsnip-like root.
Traditional use of Parsley
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern kitchen
Flat-leaf parsley is the main ingredient of tabbouleh and is used in sauces, soups and salads.
Mediterranean food practice
South American kitchen
Parsley is a main ingredient of Argentine chimichurri, with garlic, oil and vinegar.
South American food practice
Modern notes on Parsley
Parsley is rich in vitamin K, vitamin C and folate.
Parsley seed and oil contain apiole and myristicin, which are toxic in large doses and were historically used to induce abortion.
Parsley safety
Eat parsley as a herb. People on warfarin should keep vitamin K intake steady. Pregnant women should avoid parsley oil and seed supplements.
Ecology and sourcing
It is native to the central and eastern Mediterranean.
It germinates slowly and grows best in cool weather.
Black swallowtail caterpillars feed on it in the Americas, and its flowers attract beneficial insects.
Its seeds can take three weeks to germinate; soaking them overnight helps.
Related plants
Also in Apiaceae
Questions about Parsley
Is Parsley coriander?
No. Coriander is Coriandrum sativum.
Curly or flat?
Both are the same species; flat-leaf has more flavour.
What older names does Petroselinum crispum go by?
Petroselinum hortense.
How do I keep Parsley fresh?
Stand the stems in water in the fridge, loosely covered.
Sources
- Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q25284 (Petroselinum crispum)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.