Torilis japonica (Japanese Hedge Parsley)

Plant Info

Also known as:	Erect Hedge Parsley
Genus:	Torilis
Family:	Apiaceae (Carrot)
Life cycle:	annual
Origin:	Asia
Status:	Early Detection weed, MDA
Habitat:	sun to part shade; disturbed soil, edges of woods, thickets, along roads
Bloom season:	summer
Plant height:	2 to 6 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Battle Creek Regional Park Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Flowers are in flat clusters (umbels) 1½ to 2 inches across, in groups (umbellets) of about 10 to 20 flowers each. Clusters are at the top of the plant and at the end of stems that arise opposite the leaves. Individual flowers are white, about 1/8 inch across with 5 notched petals of unequal size, a creamy white center and 5 white to pink stamens. The flowers on the outer edge of an umbellet open first; the unopened flowers may have a pinkish tinge.

At the base of an umbel are 2 or more vary narrow bracts that may be slightly spreading. Up to 8 bracts are at the base of each umbellet, though they are very small and hard to see.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are compound in groups of 3 to 5, up to 5 inches long, 4 inches wide, alternately attached with a small sheath where the leaf stem joins the main stem. In the lower part of the plant, leaflets are feathery and fern-like. Leaves near the flowers at the top of the plant are smaller and less deeply divided. The main stem is covered in stiff hairs that are pressed close to the stem, giving it a rough, almost bumpy, texture.

Fruit:

Fruit is oval, about 1/8 inch long and covered in hooked hairs. It ripens to brown and splits into 2 seeds. The hooks attach the seed to nearly anything that comes in contact with it and help it spread.

Notes:

This is a new alien species to Minnesota, and highly invasive. An article from the Invasive Plant Assn of Wisconsin says this could be even worse than garlic mustard. There are several species of carrot with small white flowers and feathery leaves so they can be difficult to identify. When I first came upon the sprouting leaves in May I thought it was Queen Anne's Lace but once it started flowering it was obviously something else. A good way to ID this is by the bracts at the base of the umbel—that along with the texture of the stem were the clinchers for me. Combine that with hooked hairs on the fruit and you've probably nailed it. Early in the season the plants look open and airy but fill in with many branches as they mature. It seems to have a preference for moist soil and part shade, but apparently will grow almost anywhere. If you spot this anywhere in MN please post a comment below. This new invader needs quick action against it.

More photos

• mature Japanese Hedge Parsley plant, near 5 feet tall
• early season plant, near 3 feet tall

Photos taken at Battle Creek Regional Park, St Paul, MN and Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park, Shoreview, MN, July-October 2009

Comments

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