Burr Chervil: the 56th Flower of Spring & Summer!

As I'm sure you know by now, I adore tiny blossoms which are just a blur unless your nose is touching them! This itty bitty beauty has little blossoms about 1/16" inch in diameter and the little bouquets that it grows in look only like a blurry little spot that really looks like nothing at all! Yet if you can just get close enough...what beautiful flowers! These grow under the forest canopy under our oak trees, and even in our front yard under the eaves where it's shady for most of the day. When they go to seed, they'll form annoying burrs that cling to anything it touches. I wish it would stay in flower forever because the burrs I cannot stand! This flower is considered to be both an herb and a noxious weed. It is native to Europe and Asia but was introduced to the west coast of the United States and from what I've been reading, it's rapidly spreading all over the country because it adapts so well, and travels so efficiently by way of it's burr-covered seeds. Think about it...when a burr gets stuck to your sock, and you are on a vacation driving across the country, that burr may be pulled off your sock and tossed on the dirt many states from where you picked it up. A very good way to spread everywhere!

For more information about this flower, I found a good source with lots of pictures here: Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture: Burr Chervil

This image was taken in April, 2012.