Cropedia:Parsley

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Parsley

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Source: [1]


Common Name: Parsley, Cilantro

Scientific Names: P. hortense, P. sativum, Carum petroselinum

Family: N. O. Umbelliferae [3]


Parsley is an upright plant with many branches, reaching heights of 0.8 metres. It has green leaves and yellow-green flowers growing in clusters that extend from the main stem. Parsley also has thin and spindle-shaped roots, as well as erect, grooved, glabrous, angular stems [3].

Two types that are widely grown include curly-leaf or common parsley, and Italian parsley.

Curly-leaf parsley is usually dried or dehydrated in food products, but mostly used fresh as garnish, being quite versatile. It is typically 20-35cm tall, forming dense clumps, and good for borders or inter-planting in the garden beds [3].

Italian parsley, also known as flat-leaf or plain, is flat with crisped leaves. It can be used to flavour sauces, soups and stews. It can grow quite tall (2-3 ft; 1m) and is more gangly in habit, with a much stronger and sweeter flavour than other varieties [3].

Parsley is mostly cultivated as an annual culinary herb. It is considered a native of Eastern Mediterranean regions such as De Candolle of Turkey, Algeria and Lebanon. It is also widely grown in Europe and Western Asia [2].


Years grown at UBC Farm/LFSOG: 10 years, on/off


Growing conditions

Parsley grows well in a pH range 6 to 7 [3]. A partially-shaded position is best [2]; parsley grows well when it receives direct light for six to eight hours a day [3]. Ordinary, well-worked rich soil, but moist with good drainage, is needed for optimal parsley growth. Parsley becomes burnt and dry in very hot and dry summers - enough watering required in dry weather [3]. Like other leafy green vegetables, parsley needs overhead sprinklers or drop irrigation [3].

In spring, as soon as the soil is ready, the parsley seeds are sown into 150cm raised beds with three or four rows 45-55cm apart. Seeds should be covered a quarter inch (0.5cm) but in case of a heavy soil reach in minerals, the seeds should be covered with leaf mould or sand so that no crust is formed [3]. Seed may be sown in drills, or broadcast, edging, or between dwarf or short-lived crops. Usually, if the seeds are large enough, the seedlings are pricked out into rows [2].

Smooth ribbed and ovate seed germination rates are very low and irregular (3-6 weeks); therefore, pre-treatment soaking is recommended. Plants can be grown indoors and then transplanted to open prepared fields. Little shoots may then be added to the soil [2]. Transplants could be spaced 10-20 cm apart on 90 cm rows.

New growth is induced by cutting off of all leaves after watering well. Plants from previous years begin to grow in spring and runs to flower, but if the flower stems are removed promptly and then dressed and watered, the plant remains productive for longer.

The highest yields can be obtained with very high plant populations [3]. Thinning is required when the plant is about an inch high, and about 8 inches space between plants is recommended. A well-grown plant will cover nearly a square foot of ground.

Parsley plants must be kept clear of weeds [2]. Weed controlling herbicide is applied at the rate of 60 gallons per arch (90 l/ha) when the seedlings are two inches (5cm) tall and have three true leaves. Insecticides can be used with consultation if necessary [3].


Seasonality

For continuous supply, three sowings are needed:

  • early February: harvested in late spring or throughout summer.
  • April or early May: harvested in late fall or early winter
  • July and early August: harvested in winter and spring

The last is for the winter supply, grown in sheltered positions.

In Southern areas, late summer and autumn sowings are harvested in winter while in the north, harvesting can be continuous from April to December.

For multiple harvests, parsley should be cut at least 3 cm above the crown. Hand labour is the preferred method for minimal crop damage. [3]


Nutritional Information

Nutrition Facts/Valeur Nutritive
Serving Size: 63.4g (1 cup)
Amount Per Serving %Daily Value*
Calories 23
Total Fat 0.5g 0%
   Saturated Fat 0g 0%
   Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 36mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%
   Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
   Sugars 0.5g
Protein 2g
Vitamine A 30%
Vitamine C 200%
Calcium 11%
Iron 40%
* % Daily value based on a 2000 calorie diet


Information based on Canadian Nutrient File [1][4]

Recipes

Salad


Sauce

  • Chimichurri from Simply Recipe - an Argentinean condiment that goes great with poultry, steaks, bread, or pasta.


Storage Methods

It is recommended that parsley is stored and handled in relative humidity of 95% and at temperatures of 0 to 2 degrees Celsius. Parsley seed oil and herb oil should be stored in full tin-lined or other suitably lined containers, preferably made of glass. They should be kept in cool places protected from light. [3]


Additional Usage Inventory

Roots and seeds:

  • The stems of parsley are dried and powered, both as culinary colouring and for dyeing purposes
  • The roots of the turnip-rooted variety are used as a vegetable and flavouring [2]
  • Herb oil comes from the above-ground herb, obtained through distillation
  • Seed oil comes from the seed
  • Stems are used for culinary colouring and dyeing by being dried and powdered [3]


Medicinal Action and Uses [3]:

  • In ancient times, parsley was used in medicinal concoctions for cure-alls, general tonics, poison antidotes, antirheumatics and formulations to relieve kidney and bladder stones.
  • Parsley juice can be used in treating hives and other allergy symptoms;
  • It has also been used as a liver tonic and helped in the breaking up of kidney stones [3].
  • Two-year-old roots and leaves are dried for Parsley Tea [2]
  • The parsley root can be used as a laxative and also helps to eliminate of kidney stones; roots can be used to relieve flatulence and colic due to its carminative action.[3]
  • Parsley can be used as a tasty breath freshener owing to its high chlorophyll content.
  • Parsley also speeds healing of bruises and soothes tired and lustre-lacking eyes.
  • The juice soaked in a pad can relieve earache and toothache.
  • Parsley can be used as a face wash to lighten freckles
  • The juice relieves itch and stings from insects bites; works amazingly well as a mosquito repellent.
  • Lactating women have used the leaves as poultice to relieve breast tenderness.
  • Powdered seeds are a folk remedy for hair growth and scalp stimulation if massaged into the scalp for three days.
  • Parsley also has strong antioxidant properties
  • Lice can be eradicated if parsley is used as a hair rinse [3]
  • Oil extracted from second year seeds are called Apiol (one of the compounds of the essential oil), which is of considerable curative value. [2]
  • The essential oil is used in commercial food flavourings and perfumes for men [3]


Academic connections

  • coming soon...


References

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