Some kind of umbellifer?

[Suffolkrafter]

I've noticed a new plant springing up around my area, in the south east. Unfortunately I can't post pictures. But it looks like cow parsley in terms of leaf structure. It has the grooved 'celery' like stalk that cow parsley has. No flowers of any kind, at least not yet.
But I thought cow parsley sprouted in the spring? Can it ever sprout in September? It could be something entirely different of course.

 

[Broch]

Cow Parsley is usually the first of the umbellifers to come out and flower in the UK so it's unlikely to be Cow Parsley IMO. However, there are a few plants around here showing 'spring like' behaviour so I suppose it's not totally impossible.

The stem of Cow Parsley is slightly 'downy', occasionally turning purple, and is hollow. The leaf stalk has a sheath where it joins the stem. Without flowers (and bracts) that's the only diagnostic I have.

As I'm sure you're aware, the umbellifers include some of the UK's most deadly poisonous plants, so handle with care until you are sure.

 

[slowworm]

As Cow Parsley is an biannual or short lived perennial I would expect it to be growing now, and then dying down a little depending on the winter, and regrowing to flower in spring.

 

[Broch]

If by 'growing now' you mean a few leaves above ground I agree with you but it does not develop 'celery like' rigged stems until April typically. I have quite a lot here around the house and it is literally just a few feathery leaves at ground level.

 

[TLM]

I understand that Hemlock smells different from Cow Parsley. Though never tested that, the only use I have ever had with Cow Parsley is shooting lingon berries.

 

[Broch]

Hemlock (Conium maculatum) is not the only poisonous umbellifer in the UK but. yes, crushed Conium maculatum leaves smell of mouse pee.

However, Conium maculatum stems are hollow, ridged, with purple spots (but hairless) and children have died using them as pea shooters.

 

[Nice65]

I've noticed a new plant springing up around my area, in the south east. Unfortunately I can't post pictures. But it looks like cow parsley in terms of leaf structure. It has the grooved 'celery' like stalk that cow parsley has. No flowers of any kind, at least not yet.
But I thought cow parsley sprouted in the spring? Can it ever sprout in September? It could be something entirely different of course.

A pic would really help. No phone camera?

 

[Suffolkrafter]

I've got photos but I've never figured out how to post them on the forum. The stems are definitely hollow.
But it certainly doesn't smell unpleasant.

 

[Nice65]

I think maybe you don’t have an Attach Files at the bottom of the message box.
On other forums I use Postimage, it’s pretty easy and you don’t need to sign up.

If you want you can send them to my email and I’ll do it. Seems to be my day for sorting out pics

 

[Suffolkrafter]

IMG 20201003 163552 — Postimages

postimg.cc

IMG 20201003 163602 — Postimages

postimg.cc

IMG 20201003 164002 — Postimages

postimg.cc

Lord only knows if those links will work. But worth a try. Thank you for the advice Nice65.

 

[slowworm]

The closest I can think of is Hemlock Water Dropwort, but I'm not sure. Is it growing near water or in a very wet place?

 

[Suffolkrafter]

It's not the right environment for water dropworts. It's in a patch of woodland near a road, relatively dry. It may not be an umbellifer, but other than herb Robert - which it isn't - I can't find another contender. I've been studying umbellifers in detail for two years now and I still get stumped. But these are young shoots so will always be tricky.

 

[nitrambur]

Looks a bit like the celery that self seeded in our garden

Obviously not that if it's just appearing though, just saying how difficult it is to wok out from a leaf