Torilis arvensis

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}

{{Speciesbox

|image = Torilis arvensis.jpg

|image_caption = Flowers

|genus = Torilis

|species = arvensis

|authority = (Huds.) Link

}}

File:Torilis_arvensis_-_sock_destroyer_fruits.jpg

Torilis arvensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae known by the common names spreading hedge parsley,{{PLANTS|id=TOAR|taxon=Torilis arvensis|accessdate=11 December 2015}} tall sock-destroyer{{cite web|url=http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=46743|title=Torilis arvensis|author=Lincoln Constance & Margriet Wetherwax|date=2014|website=Jepson eFlora|publisher=Jepson Flora Project|access-date=11 December 2015}} and common hedge parsley.{{Cite web|url=http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/hdg_parsley.htm|title=Common Hedge Parsley (Torilis arvensis)|website=www.illinoiswildflowers.info|access-date=2018-12-22}} It is native to parts of Europe and it is known elsewhere, such as North America, as an introduced species and a common weed. It grows in many types of habitat, especially disturbed areas. It is an annual herb producing a slender, branching, rough-haired stem up to a meter in maximum height. The alternately arranged leaves are each divided into several pairs of lance-shaped leaflets up to 6 centimeters long each. The leaflet is divided or deeply cut into segments or teeth. The inflorescence is a wide open compound umbel of flower clusters on long, slender rays. Each flower has five petals which are unequal in size and are white with a pinkish or reddish tinge. Each greenish or pinkish fruit is 3 to 5 millimeters long and is coated in straight or curving prickles.