The scourge of many gardeners, this perennial wildflower spreads invasively by means of its underground rhizomes and forms large patches on damp and disturbed ground, along lanes and shady woodland. It bears umbels of creamy white flowers (2-3mm across) on erect, hollow, grooved stems which can grow to 1m high. The umbels are without bracts and have 10-20 rays or spokes. The little flowers have five even, notched petals and bloom from May to August. The oval-shaped, bright green trifoliate leaves are further divided and have toothed margins. This is not a native plant but a garden escape which is now widespread throughout the country. It belongs to the Apiaceae family.
I first recorded this plant in Dalkey, Co Dublin in 1973 and I photographed it in Pollardstown, Co Kildare in 2005.
If you are satisfied you have correctly identified this plant, please submit your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre
