Torilis arvensis (Hudson) Link.
Spreading Hedge Parsley
NOMENCLATURE
Torilis: to engrave, ref. to furrowing of fruits.
arvensis: from arvum: solum: cultivated fields.
PREVIOUS NAMES : T. infesta (L) Spregnel.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
TYPE: erect annual. Th. HEIGHT : 5-40 (100)cm.
STEM: freely branched, spreading at a wide angle, solid, striate, terete, glabrous
below, closely appressed, deflex bristled & ridged above.
UMBELS: 1-2.5cm diam. Compound. 3-5 unequal rays 0.5-1.5cm, with appressed,
forward pointing hairs. Peduncle > than rays with closely appressed, deflexed hairs.
LEAVES: 1-2 pinnate. Lobes 3cm, coarsely serrate to pinnatifid, lanceolate in outline,
with appressed, forward-pointing bristles both surfaces. Petiole slender, with similar
bristles. Cotyledons tapered at base, no petiole.
BRACTS: absent or 1. Bracteoles several, linear to lanceolate, hispid, = pedicellate flowers.
FLOWERS: white or pinkish. Hermaphrodite. Sepals acute, persistent. Petals hispid
beneath, unequal, the outer radiating. Styles form a stylopodium. Fl. 7-8.
FRUIT: 4-6mm, oblong-ovoid, subterete. Commisure narrow. Both mericarps with slender ciliate
ridges and long, rough, tapering spines thickened near apex with a slender hook. Carpophore
present. Vittae solitary. Pedicels with a ring of hairs at the apex. Styles = stylopodium, patent
or recurved, with a few hairs near the base. Stigma capitate. 2n=12.
HABITAT: arable fields, meadows.
DISTRIBUTION: native?. S.E. England, much less frequent now.
W.C. & S. Europe. S.W. Asia.
