Fool's parsley (Aethusa cynapium) — spot it fast, avoid the risk

Fool's parsley looks a lot like garden parsley but can make people and animals sick. It grows in fields, gardens, and along roadsides in spring and early summer. Knowing a few clear ID clues and quick first-aid steps can prevent a scary situation.

How to recognize fool's parsley

Look for delicate, fern-like leaves arranged in flat clusters and small white umbrella-shaped flower heads (called umbels). Plants usually reach 30–60 cm tall. The leaves are shinier and more pointed than garden parsley. If you crush a leaf and the smell is unpleasant or sharp, that’s another red flag—real parsley smells fresh and aromatic. Fool's parsley often grows in clumps on disturbed soil, along paths, or near gardens where wild herbs appear.

Common lookalikes: edible parsley, cow parsley, and poison hemlock. Hemlock is usually taller, often has purple blotches on the stem and a musty carrot-like smell. When in doubt, don’t taste it. One easy rule: don’t eat any wild plant unless you can identify it with absolute confidence.

If someone or a pet eats fool's parsley — what to do

First, stay calm and act quickly. Remove any plant material from the mouth. Do not make the person vomit unless a medical professional tells you to. Gather a sample of the plant or take clear photos to show to medical staff.

Call your local poison control or emergency number right away. In the U.S. you can call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. In Canada, contact your provincial poison centre or call local emergency services if you’re unsure. Tell them what was eaten, how much, and when. If it’s a pet, call your veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic. Keep the person or pet comfortable and monitor breathing, alertness, and vomiting.

At the hospital, doctors may check vitals, give fluids, and treat symptoms like vomiting, dizziness, or seizures. Bringing the plant sample or photos speeds up diagnosis and treatment.

Prevention is simple: teach kids not to touch or taste unknown plants, keep pets away from wild herbs, and pull up any suspicious plants around play areas. Wear gloves when removing them and dispose of plants in sealed bags rather than composting. If you forage for herbs, only collect from trusted sources and learn clear ID features for every plant you plan to eat.

Spotting fool's parsley and knowing what to do reduces risk and keeps your family and pets safe. If you're unsure about a plant and someone shows symptoms after exposure, call poison control or emergency services right away — fast action matters.