Anthriscus roadside plant Whistlewort

by Maaike Coers

Flute (Anthriscus sylvestris) is a plant of the umbelliferae family (Umbelliferae or Apiaceae). The species is common in the Netherlands and Flanders, especially in places that are covered with grass. The plant is often found in roadside verges, which turn white as a result.

The umbels are composed of white flowers that bloom fairly early. The stems are hollow and grooved and often red blush. The plant is hairy and can grow 1.5 m high. The flower is white and has a diameter of 3-4 mm. Each flower has a wreath and five petals. Each flower has one large, two smaller and two small petals. The flowers form compound umbels with eight to fifteen screen radii. The flowering period is from April to June. The leaves are double to triple pinnate; the underside is soft hairy.

Whistlewort has dark brown, cylindrical split fruits with a ribbed beak.

The herb owes its name to the fact that whistles can be made from the stem. In order to make a flute, a hollow flute pipe, with a dense knot at the bottom, has to be made about halfway a longitudinal cut.

The plant was also called 'Dutch lace' by Jac. P. Thijsse. This because the flowers are fine in shape. In Groningen and Friesland it is also called Whitsun flower, not to be confused with the actual Whiteflower.