Seed
Seedling
Vegetative Growth
Flowering Plant

Sheeps Parsley

Herb

(Petroselenium crispum)

Sheeps parsley is a common forage herb, usually mixed with ribgrass, yarrow and burnet to increase diversity and lift trace elements from deep within the soil profile. It can be mixed with regular grassland species to increase grazing diversity.

Uses

Usually used as part of a diverse grazing sward.

Persistence

A perennial species

Strengths

Sheeps parsley can be grown as part of a mixed sward, it is known to be high in iron and vitamins A & C. It is also noted that it enhances fertility in breeding stock. It also has a well developed taproot, which is good for improving drought tolerance and soil conditioning.

Frost Tolerance

Frost tolerance.

Sowing Rate Advice

4kg per acre / 10kg per ha.

Not usually sown as a pure stand.

Mixture Sowing Rate Advice

0.1 - 0.25kg acre / 0.25 - 0.625kg per ha.

A small sized seed, so small inclusions will still show up at a robust rate in the sward.

Ideal Sowing Time

Generally sown from Spring to Autumn.

Management

This species is less tolerant of prolonged grazing and heavy trampling, grazing management is key to ensure the species persists in the sward.

Distinguishing characteristics

Seed
Seedling

Seedling
The seed is pear shaped, being wider at one end to the other and tapering to a blunt point. It looks similar to an orange segment, with noticeable raised, white veins running from end to end. The colour is dark, varying from brown to black. It is approximately 3mm in length.

Vegetative State

Flowering Plant

Flowering Plant
A pale green to rich green colour. The leaves are a typical parsley shape, known as deltoid or triangular in shape. The inflorescence is usually white or whitish yellow in colour. It forms a taproot and grows from a low crown.

Additional Info

Flowers from late June to September

Works well with

Sheeps parsley is usually mixed with ribgrass, yarrow and burnet to increase diversity and lift trace elements.

Buy Sheeps Parsley Straight

You can find Sheeps Parsley in the following mixtures