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Science & Nature • Botany

Parsley

Parsley is a biennial herb in the carrot family, scientifically known as *Petroselinum crispum*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Parsley is a biennial herb in the carrot family, scientifically known as *Petroselinum crispum*. Native to the Mediterranean region, it is widely cultivated worldwide for its aromatic leaves and, in some varieties, edible root. It is used mainly as a culinary herb and garnish, and is also valued for its nutritional content.

Description

Parsley is a hardy biennial herb with aromatic, divided leaves. It typically grows foliage in the first year and flowers in the second year, producing small yellow-green flowers in umbels.

Uses

Parsley is widely used as a culinary herb in soups, salads, sauces, meats, fish, and vegetable dishes. It is also a common garnish and an ingredient in herb blends such as bouquet garni and fines herbes.

Cultivation and varieties

Parsley is grown in gardens and containers and can be cultivated in curly-leaved, flat-leaved, or root forms. Although biennial, it is often treated as an annual in culinary use.

Nutritional and medicinal history

Parsley leaves are a source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and C and iron. Historically, it has also been used in traditional medicine, though those uses are not the plant's primary modern role.

Key facts

  • Parsley is native to Europe and the Mediterranean and is now grown worldwide.
  • It belongs to the Apiaceae, or carrot, family.
  • Curly-leaved and flat-leaved parsley are the main culinary forms.
  • Hamburg parsley is grown for its enlarged edible root as well as its leaves.
  • Parsley has been used since antiquity in Greek and Roman cuisine.
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Canadian context

Parsley is widely grown and sold in Canada as a common culinary herb, and it is also a familiar garden plant in Canadian herb and vegetable beds.

Frequently asked questions

What is parsley?
Parsley is a herbaceous plant in the carrot family, grown mainly for its aromatic leaves.
What is parsley's scientific name?
The scientific name is *Petroselinum crispum*.
Where is parsley native to?
Parsley is native to the Mediterranean region.
What are the main types of parsley?
The main culinary types are curly-leaved parsley and flat-leaved parsley; Hamburg parsley is grown for its root.
How is parsley used?
It is used fresh or dried in cooking, especially in soups, salads, sauces, fish, meats, and vegetable dishes.
Is parsley annual or perennial?
Parsley is a biennial herb, though it is often grown as an annual for leaf harvest.

References

  1. Missouri Botanical Garden — http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/plantfinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=276060
    Supports: Parsley as *Petroselinum crispum*, native to Europe and the Mediterranean, and its culinary uses.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/parsley
    Supports: Parsley taxonomy, native range, biennial habit, and culinary uses.
  3. University of Wisconsin Extension — https://mastergardener.extension.wisc.edu/files/2015/12/parsley.pdf
    Supports: Parsley as a biennial Apiaceae herb, leaf and root types, and nutritional notes.
  4. Royal Horticultural Society — https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/41248/petroselinum-crispum/details
    Supports: Growth habit, flower description, and cultivation characteristics.
  5. New York Botanical Garden — https://libguides.nybg.org/parsley
    Supports: Native origin in the eastern Mediterranean and historical use by ancient Greeks and Romans.