An herb is a plant whose leaves, seeds, or flowers are used for flavoring food or in medicine. Other uses of herbs include cosmetics, dyes, and perfumes. The name derives from the Latin word herba, meaning “green crops.” Parsley, (Petroselinum) is a hardy biennial herb in what is known as the parsley family (Apiaceae), like anise, dill, caraway, cumin, fennel, and lovage. Parsley is probably native to southeastern Europe.

There are three main types of parsley: curly parsley(Petroselinum crispum); flat leaf or Italian parsley (Petroselinum crispum latifolium or Petroselinum crispum neapolitanum); and turnip-rooted parsley, aka Hamburg parsley or root parsley (Petroselinum crispum tuberosum). The first two are used as herbs, and the third as a root vegetable, simlar to a parsnip. Moss leaf and fern leaf parsley are other varieties.

History. Parsley is notably mentioned in two Ancient Greek documents. One is a poem, in which it is sought along with roses and violets.

Where are my roses?
Where are my violets?
Where is my beautiful parsley?

The other is Homer’s Odyssey (line 72, translation by A.T. Murray 1919), in which the fields on Kalypso’s island are described as follows:

And round about soft meadows of violets and parsley were blooming.

Description. Parsley grows 12 to 8 inches (30 to 45 cm) and produces white or greenish to yellow flowers in June through August.

Gardening. Parsley prefers fertile, well-drained soil and sun or partial shade. If you use a lot of parsley, serial planting is a good idea. Parsley is best used fresh.

Store parsley in a plastic bag in the hydrator or crisper for a week or more. It can also be kept in a glass of water, either in the refrigerator or on a window sill, but not in direct sun. Remove yellow leaves and any slimy bits, rinse, and place in fresh water as necessary.

Food and Other Uses. It is said that curly leaf parsley is more popular in the United States, and flat leaf parsley is more popular in Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. This is perhaps because flat leaf parsley both has a stronger flavor and holds up to longer cooking.

The herb is used both as a garnish and a main ingredient. It is an essential component of French persillade, a parsley and garlic garnish; bouquet garni, a French mixture of herbs used to prepare stock, stew, and soup; and gremolata, an Italian mix of minced parsley, lemon peel, and garlic traditionally served with osso bucco. Parsley is used as a garnish on Middle Eastern foods, for example, hummus, baba ghanoush, and tabbouleh and other salad-style dishes.