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The Spreading chervil (Chaerophyllum procumbens) belongs to Apiaceae (the Carrot family). It is an annual herb that is distributed from southwestern Canada to the north central and eastern parts of the United States. It grows in forests and prairies and is 15 to 45 cm tall. Several branched stems grow from the base of the plant, often crawling on the ground or leaning against neighboring plants. The leaves are bipinnate compound, and the leaflets also divide into pinnules. The lower leaves have petioles, while the upper leaves are small and nearly sessile. From spring to early summer, compound umbels are produced at the top of the stem, and each umbel produces 3 to 7 small white flowers. The fruit is an oblong capsule 4-6 mm long.
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