There are curled and plain-leaf varieties.
Native habitat
- South-eastern Europe
- Western Asia
Growing conditions
- Likes most soils, but not too dry
- Sun or partial shade
- A biennial - flowers and seeds in year 2
Maintenance
- Remove flower heads as soon as they appear to keep good supply
of leaves
- Leave one/two flower heads to produce seeds
Propagation
- Sow seeds two years running, then allow plant to self-seed
- Soak seeds in warm water before planting in rich, moist soil
in the shade
- Sow seeds through Spring and Summer, under glass and well
watered - transplant before they get too leggy
Parts used
- Leaves
- Root - as a vegetable and medicine
- Seeds used in herbal medicine - not recommended for
children
Properties
- Nourishing - contains lots of vitamin C and vitamin A, iron,
iodine, magnesium and other vitamins and minerals
Uses
- Cooking - flavouring and garnish
- Medicinal - treatment for stings, bites, digestive
disorders, bruises, eye infections, earache toothache and hair
loss
- Mild laxative, a diuretic and reduces fever
- Make freckles disappear
- Other - mosquito repellent
History 
- Ancient Greeks associated it with death and wouldn't eat it,
but used it to make wreaths instead
- Romans wore parsley garlands at feasts to stop themselves
getting drunk
- Romans kept it away from nursing mothers believing it would
cause epilepsy in babies
- Romans brought parsley to Britain
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Parsley
Curled-leaf variety
Chopping parsley to use in cooking
Cod with parsley sauce
(with a sprinkling of another herb called dill)
Ancient Greeks associated parsley with death
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