''Ridolfia segetum'', called false fennel, corn parsley, or false caraway, is an annual weed of the Mediterranean region. Its height is . The stem is erect, striate, and branched. The

glabrous Glabrousness () is the technical term for a lack of hair, down, setae, trichomes, or other such covering. A glabrous surface may be a natural characteristic of all or part of a plant or animal, or be due to loss because of a physical condition, ...

leaves are finely divided several times with filiform leaflets. The upper leaves frequently reduced and the base of the petiole enlarged. The flowers are yellow, arranged in small umbels with almost uniform rays (10–60). The seeds and leaves contain an

essential oil An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile (easily evaporated at normal temperatures) chemical compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetheroleum, or simply as the ...

and the plant has a strong odor. The essential oil contains the chemicals α-phellandrene, α-terpinolene,

β-phellandrene Phellandrenes are organic compounds with the formula . They have a similar molecular structure and similar chemical properties. α-Phellandrene and β-phellandrene are cyclic terpene, monoterpenes and are double-bond isomers. In α-phellandrene, ...

, and dillapiol. The leaves can be eaten in its raw form or cooked, and are used as an herb in the pickle industry.

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''Hyppa'' Weed Science and Agronomy
{{Taxonbar, from1=Q310463, from2=Q15967154 Apioideae Edible Apiaceae Monotypic Apioideae genera Taxa named by Giuseppe Giacinto Moris