Cryptotaenia canadensis aka White Chervil

Cryptotaenia canadensis is a leafy perennial called honewort or wild chervil. It belongs to the carrot and parsley family, Apiaceae. Its native range spans eastern Canada and the central and eastern United States. It grows in rich woods, thickets, ravines, and wooded valleys. It also grows beside streams and on ledges and bluffs. These habitats place it in moist, shaded parts of temperate North America.

Plants grow 1–3 feet (0.30–0.91 metres) tall from tuberous roots. Their mature spread reaches about 2 feet (0.61 metres). Each leaf divides into three leaflets with sharp teeth along their edges. The leaflets range from oval to egg-shaped. Whole leaves measure about 0.25–0.5 feet (0.08–0.15 metres) long. Tiny white flowers form branched clusters called compound umbels. Each flower has five petals, with no clear sepals. Bloom runs from June through September. The flowers draw butterflies to the garden.

Grow honewort in moist, rich soil that drains well. It does best in part shade or light filtered through trees. It also tolerates shade that approaches full shade. Full sun can scorch the leaves. Its water needs are moderate, and routine care is low. It suits USDA hardiness zones 4–8. Woodland beds and shaded native plant gardens match its needs. It can also serve as a food plant in herb gardens.

Honewort can spread strongly by seed and form colonies. This makes it useful where plants may spread without crowding prized neighbours. In smaller beds, its seedlings may need control. Cut off spent flower stems to limit seed spread. No major insect or disease problems are reported. Slugs and snails can still cause trouble, so watch for them. The plant also resists deer. Gardeners can raise it from seed or divide it in spring or autumn. Seed may be sown in a greenhouse in April or in early autumn.

Young leaves, stems, and flowers can be eaten raw or cooked. They can go into salads or cooked greens. Their taste has been compared with celery. Cook the roots before eating them. Seeds can flavour bread, cakes, and biscuits. Plants For A Future gives its food value three out of five. That source lists no known hazards, but this is not a full safety assessment. It records no known medicinal uses or other non-food uses.