Parsley - Petroselinum crispum

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Swallowtails
Sulfurs/Whites
Brushfooted
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Curly Parsley.

There are many different varieties of parsley available. Most typical nurseries sell either Curly or Flat Parsley. Either is ok for Black Swallowtails. Curly Parsley tends to be shorter, growing only to a height of 10-12 in. Flat Parsley can grow to a height of 18 in. or more.

Parsley is a Host Plant for Black Swallowtails

Curly Parsley or Flat/Italian Parsley either one can be grown for Black Swallowtails. It can even be grown in a pot rather than placing in the ground, although it usually needs a bigger pot that what it is sold in.

Where to buy Parsley

Most nurseries sell Parsley as a plant in the spring and early summer. It can be grown by seed, but I recommend buying the plant as it takes the seeds a while to germinate and the plants grow pretty slowly. If trying to grow from seed, it can be bought from Burpee and many other online seed sellers.

The Apiaceae Family

Parsley is a member of the carrot or Apiaceae Family. There are around 300 genera and 3000 species of plants in this family. They are mostly herbs with hollow stems and small flowers. Many important food plants are members of the carrot family. They include carrots, parsnips, celery, cilantro, caraway, anise, fennel and dill. There are also a few members of this family native to the US which are very poisonous.

Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium), which is a good native nectar source for butterflies is also a member of this family.